System and method for using unique device identifiers to enhance security

ABSTRACT

A method for detection and use of device identifiers to enhance the security of data transfers between electronic devices. A first electronic device can transmit access data to a second electronic device. The access data can be associated with a first access code that can be generated based at least in part on data representing a device identifier of the first electronic device. A device identifier can uniquely identify the first electronic device from a plurality of electronic devices. Transferring the access data can involve transforming the first access code into a second access code that can include data representing a device identifier associated with the second electronic device. Transforming the first access code into the second access code can facilitate access to a resource associated with the access data for a second user, but not for a first user.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.15/627,231, filed on Jun. 19, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser.No. 15/233,473, filed on Aug. 10, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,686,241,issued on Jun. 20, 2017 which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.15/005,970, filed on Jan. 25, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,477,820, issuedon Oct. 25, 2016, which is a continuation-in-part application of each of(1) U.S. Ser. No. 10/731,410, filed on Dec. 9, 2003, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/431,865, filed on Dec.9, 2002; (2) U.S. Ser. No. 14/049,909, filed on Oct. 9, 2013, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/712,009, filed onOct. 10, 2012; (3) U.S. Ser. No. 14/202,218, filed on Mar. 10, 2014, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,251,518, issued on Feb. 2, 2016, which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/791,123, filed on Mar. 15, 2013;and (4) U.S. Ser. No. 14/553,902, filed on Nov. 25, 2014, which is acontinuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 13/948,906, filed on Jul. 23,2013, which is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 12/716,616,filed on Mar. 3, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,510,138, issued on Aug. 13,2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/158,237, filed on Mar. 6, 2009; the disclosures of each of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the transferring of access rights betweenelectronic devices. More specifically, this disclosure relates toenhancing the security of access-right transfers between devices bydetecting and using device identifiers.

BACKGROUND

An increasing amount of electronic devices are configured for wirelesscommunication. For example, an electronic device can transfer data toanother electronic device (e.g., via a wireless connection). However,the electronic device receiving the data may transfer that data toanother electronic device in an unauthorized manner. Accordingly, datatransfer between devices can be insecure.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method is provided fordetecting and using device-identifying codes to enhance security ofaccess-right transfers. The computer-implemented method may includereceiving a first communication from a first electronic deviceassociated with a first user. The first communication may correspond toa first request to retrieve access data associated with the first user.For example, the access data may correspond to one or more accessrights. The method may also include receiving a second communicationfrom the first electronic device. For example, the second communicationmay include a second request for an access right. Further, the methodmay include identifying first metadata associated with the secondcommunication, identifying a first composite of the one or more firstcomposites included in the first metadata, and identifying a first valuethat corresponds to the first composite. The first value may berepresentative of a first device identifier that uniquely identifies thefirst electronic device from amongst a plurality of electronic devices.The first metadata may include one or more first composites.

In addition, the method may include generating a first access codecorresponding to the access right, receiving a third communication fromthe first electronic device, and verifying that a third request totransfer the access right corresponds to the first electronic deviceassociated with the first user. The third communication may correspondto a third request to transfer the access right to a second user.Further, at least a portion of the first access code may include arepresentation of the first device identifier. The method may alsoinclude receiving a fourth communication from a second electronic deviceassociated with the second user, extracting second metadata associatedwith the fourth communication, identifying a second composite from theone or more second composites, and identifying a second valuecorresponding to the second composite. The second metadata may includeone or more second composites. The fourth communication may correspondto an indication to proceed with the transfer of the access right.Further, the second value may be representative of a second deviceidentifier that uniquely identifies the second electronic device fromamongst the plurality of electronic devices. The method may also includetransforming the first access code corresponding to the access rightinto a second access code, such that the second access code facilitatesentry to the first spatial area for the second user, but not for thefirst user, and transmitting, to the second electronic device, a fifthcommunication that includes the second access code. At least a portionof the second access code may include a representation of the seconddevice identifier.

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method is provided. Themethod may be for enhancing security of access-data transfers betweennear-field communication (NFC) devices. The method may includereceiving, at an access management system, a first communication from afirst NFC device associated with a first user. The first NFC device maybe configured to include a first set of sensors and a firstcommunication interface to facilitate wireless communication. Further,the first communication may correspond to a first request to retrieveaccess data associated with the first user. The access data maycorrespond to one or more access rights. The method may also includereceiving, at the access management system, a second communication fromthe first NFC device where the second communication can include a secondrequest for an access right from amongst the one or more access rights.The access right may facilitate entry to a first spatial area for thefirst user. The method may include generating, at the access managementsystem, a first access code corresponding to the access right where atleast a portion of the first access code can include a representation ofa first device identifier that uniquely identifies the first NFC devicefrom amongst a plurality of electronic devices.

The method may include transmitting, at the access management system,the first access code to the first NFC device. The method may alsoinclude identifying, at the first NFC device, a second NFC deviceassociated with a second user. The second NFC device being configured toinclude a second set of sensors, a display, and a second communicationinterface to facilitate wireless communication. The second NFC devicemay be physically located in a proximate vicinity to the first NFCdevice. Further, identification of the second NFC device can establishan NFC communication channel between the first NFC device and the secondNFC device. In addition, the method may include detecting, at the firstNFC device, a trigger event at the first set of sensors of the first NFCdevice. Detection of the trigger event can initiate a transformation ofthe first access code into a second access code. At least a portion ofthe second access code may include a representation of a second deviceidentifier that uniquely identifies the second NFC device from amongstthe plurality of electronic devices.

In some embodiments, a computer program product or system is providedthat is tangibly embodied in a non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium. The computer program product or system includes instructionsconfigured to cause one or more data processors to perform actionsincluding part or all of a method disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is described in conjunction with the appendedfigures:

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an embodiment of a resourceaccess-facilitating interaction system;

FIG. 2 shows an illustration of hardware and network connections of aresource access-facilitating interaction system according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows an illustration of a communication exchange betweencomponents involved in a resource access-facilitating interaction systemaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates example components of a device;

FIG. 5 illustrates example components of resource access coordinatormodule;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of a process forassigning access rights for resources;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show embodiments of site systems in relations to mobiledevices;

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of user device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates sample components of an embodiment of site system180, including connections to a NAS and access management system;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for securely transferringaccess rights; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process for transferring accessrights over near field communication channels.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features can have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type canbe distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating various embodiments, are intended for purposes ofillustration only and are not intended to necessarily limit the scope ofthe disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) onlyand is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configurationof the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferredexemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with anenabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment.It is understood that various changes can be made in the function andarrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope asset forth in the appended claims.

Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure relate todetection and use of unique device identifiers to enhance the securityof data transfers between electronic devices. A first electronic devicecan transfer access data (e.g., the data to be transferred) to a secondelectronic device. The first electronic device can be associated with afirst user and the second electronic device can be associated with asecond user. The access data can correspond to one or more accessrights, and an access right can be associated with a first access code.The first access code may indicate that an access right is valid withrespect to the first electronic device. For example, the access rightmay facilitate access to one or more resources associated with theaccess right when the resources are accessed using the first accesscode. In some embodiments, the first access code can be generated so asto include at least a portion of data representing a first deviceidentifier associated with the first electronic device. The first deviceidentifier can uniquely identify the first electronic device from aplurality of electronic devices. The first device identifier can bebased on or include a characteristic of the first electronic device(e.g., a media access control (MAC) address).

The first electronic device can transfer the access right to a secondelectronic device so that the access right is associated with the seconduser, instead of the first user. Transferring the access data caninvolve transforming the first access code into a second access code.The second access code can include data representing a second deviceidentifier associated with the second electronic device. The seconddevice identifier can uniquely identify the second electronic devicefrom amongst a plurality of electronic devices. Further, the seconddevice identifier can be based on or include a characteristic of thesecond electronic device. Transforming the first access code into thesecond access code serves to invalidate the first access code andfacilitate access to a resource associated with the access right for thesecond user. The second access code facilitates access to the resourceusing the second electronic device, but the first electronic device canno longer be used to access the resource.

In some embodiments, an access right can be associated with the firstaccess code. Further, a physical manifestation of the access right canbe converted into an electronic representation of the access right.Converting the physical manifestation of the access right can includetransforming the first access code (e.g., associated with the physicalmanifestation of the access right) into a second access code (e.g.,associated with the electronic manifestation of the access right). Atleast a portion of the second access code can include data representingthe device identifier of a second electronic device used to display theelectronic representation. The access management system can receive arequest to convert the physical manifestation of the access right intoan electronic representation of the access right. The access managementsystem can transform the first access code into a second access code.The second access code can include data representing a unique deviceidentifier for an electronic device associated with the electronicrepresentation of the access right (e.g., an electronic device thatdisplays the electronic representation of the access right).Transforming the first access code into the second access code caninvalidate the first access code.

In some embodiments, an access right can be associated with a firstaccess code. A first user may update one or more parameters attributedto the access right. An update to a parameter attributed to the accessright can initiate a transformation of the first access code into asecond access code. The second access code can be associated with anelectronic device. For example, a visual representation of the secondaccess code can be displayed on the electronic device. Further, thesecond access code can include at least a section representing anidentifier that uniquely identifies the electronic device from aplurality of electronic devices. For example, the identifier cancorrespond to one or more components of the electronic device. Anexample of a component can include a network interface card. Theidentifier can include an identifying code (e.g., a serial number)associated with the component. For example, the second access code caninclude data representing the identifier of the component.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to secure transfer ofdata between devices using near-field communication (NFC) technology.For example, a first electronic device can transfer an access right to asecond electronic device over an NFC channel established between thedevices. Further, a trigger event may be detected at one or both of theelectronic devices (e.g., a bumping motion, tapping motion, or othersuitable motion) and may automatically initiate transformation of thefirst access code into a second access code. The second access code caninclude at least a portion of data representing a device identifier ofthe second electronic device (e.g., a MAC address, an address associatedwith the NFC interface card of the second electronic access, and thelike). After transformation of the first access code into the secondaccess code, the first electronic device can transmit the first orsecond access code to the second electronic device over an NFCcommunication channel.

Accordingly, unauthorized transfer of the second access code (e.g., toan unauthorized third electronic device) can be prevented and securityof data transfers can be enhanced by comparing the device identifierincluded in the second access code with a device identifier of thedevice being used to display the second access code to determine whethera match exists. If a match does exist, the access management system canfacilitate access to resources associated with one or more accessrights.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an embodiment of a resource managementsystem 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Mobiledevice 110 (which can be operated by a user 105) and an event-providerdevice 120 (which can be operated, controlled, or used by an eventprovider 115) can communicate with an access management system 185directly or via another system (e.g., via an intermediate system 150).Mobile device 110 may transmit data to access point 145, which isconnected to network 155, over communication channel 140 using antennae135. While FIG. 1 illustrates mobile device 110 communicating withaccess point 145 using a wireless connection (e.g., communicationchannel 140), in some embodiments, mobile device 110 may alsocommunicate with access point 145 using a wired connection (e.g., anEthernet connection). Mobile device 110 can also communicate with one ormore client devices, such as a client agent device 170 operated by aclient agent 175, a client register 160 or a client point device 165using a wired or wireless connection. In addition, using the accessmanagement system 185, an event provider 115 can identify an event, aparameter of attending the event, a date or dates of the event, alocation or locations of the event, etc. Each inter-system communicationcan occur over one or more networks 155 and can facilitate transmissionof a variety of types of data. It will be understood that, although onlyone of various systems, devices, entities and network are shown, theresource management system 100 can be extended to include multiple ofany given system(s), device(s), entity(ies), and/or networks.

Access management system 185 can be configured to manage a dynamic setof access rights to one or more resources. More specifically, accessmanagement system 185 can track which resources are to be made availableto users, specifications of the resources and times at which they willbe available. Access management system 185 can also allocate accessrights for resources and facilitate transmissions of notifications ofthe available rights to a set of user devices. For example, accessmanagement system 185 can alert users of the availability via a website,app page or email. As another example, access management system cantransmit data about access rights and resources to one or moreintermediate systems 150, which can facilitate distribution ofaccess-right availability and processing of requests for such rights.

Notifications of available access rights can be accompanied by optionsto request that one or more access rights be assigned to a user.Therefore, user 105 can provide input to mobile device 110 via aninterface to request such assignment and provide other pertinentinformation. Intermediate system 150 and/or access management system 185can process the request to ensure that the requested access right(s)remain available and that all required information has been receivedand, in some instances, verified. Thereafter, access management system185 can assign one or more access rights to the user, e.g., matching theaccess rights requested by the user.

Assigning an access right can include, for example, associating anidentifier of the right with an identifier of a user, changing a statusof the right from available to assigned, facilitating a cease innotifications that the access right is available, generating anaccess-enabling code to use such that the corresponding access will bepermitted and/or generating a notification to be received at mobiledevice 110 confirming the assignment and/or including data required forcorresponding access to be permitted.

In some instances, a resource is at least partly controlled, by aclient. The resource may be accessed at a particular location orstructure, and a variety of client devices may be present at thelocation so as to facilitate usage of an access right. Exemplary clientdevices can include client agent device 170, which can be one operatedby a client agent 175 (e.g., a human client agent), a client register160 (e.g., which can operate independently of an agent and/or can beconnected to or include a device that, while in a locked mode, canimpede resource access, such as a turnstile) and client point device 165(e.g., which can operate independently of an agent and/or can bepositioned at or around the resource-associated location. For example,in some instances client agent device 170 can be operated by an agent ata location for a resource that is an event (“event resource”) takingplace at the location. In this example, client agent device 170 is usedby an agent that is manning an entrance to the location (e.g., which caninclude, for example, a location of a structure or a geographic region)or a part thereof; client register 160 can be or can be connected to aturnstile, gate or lockable door that is positioned along a perimeter orentrance to a resource-associated location or part thereof; and clientpoint device 165 can be an electronic device positioned at or within aresource-associated location.

In some instances, mobile device 110 performs particular functions upondetecting a client device and/or the contrary. For example, mobiledevice 110 may locally retrieve or request (e.g., from an externalsource) an access-enabling code. The access-enabling code can betransmitted to the client device or a remote server (e.g., a serverhosting access management system 185) for evaluation and/or can belocally evaluated. The evaluation can include, for example, confirmingthat the access-enabling code has a particular characteristic or format(e.g., generally or one characteristic corresponding to a particularresource or type of access), matches one in an access-enabling code datastore and/or has not been previously redeemed. A result of theevaluation can be locally displayed at an evaluating device, can controla device component (e.g., a physical access control module), and/or canbe transmitted to another device, such as mobile device 110.

In some instances, user 105 can use multiple mobile devices 110 toperform various operations (e.g., using one device to request an accessright and another to interact with client devices). Some instances ofmobile device 110, access management system 185, intermediate system150, client agent device 170, client register 160 and/or client pointdevice 165 can include a portable electronic device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, laptop computer or smart wearable device) or anon-portable electronic device (e.g., one or more desktop computers,servers and/or processors).

In exemplary embodiments, access rights can be represented in datamaintained at a client device or at access management system 185. Forexample, a database or data store include a list of identifiers for eachuser or user device having an assigned access right for a resource orassociating an identifier for each user or user device with anidentifier of a particular access right. In some instances, indicia canbe transmitted to a user device that indicates that an access right isavailed. In various instances, it may be permitted or prohibited for theindicia to be transferred. The indicia may be provided as part of anelectronic or physical object (e.g., a right to access an event) orindependently. The indicia may include an access-enabling code.

In some instances, access management system 185 communicates with one ormore intermediate systems 150, each of which may be controlled by adifferent entity as compared to an entity controlling access managementsystem 185. For example, access management system 185 may assign accessrights to intermediate systems 150 (e.g., upon acceptance of terms).Intermediate system 150 can then collect data pertaining to the assignedaccess rights and/or a corresponding event, can format and/or edit thedata, generate a notification of availability of the access rights thatincludes the formatted and/or edited data and facilitate presentation ofthe notification at a mobile device 110. When intermediate system 150receives a communication from the mobile device 110 indicative of anaccess-right request, intermediate system 150 can facilitate assignment(or reassignment) of an access right to the user (e.g., by transmittingrelevant information to access management system 185 identifying theuser and/or user device and/or by transmitting relevant information tomobile device 110 pertaining to the access right).

A resource can include one managed or provided by a client, such as aperforming entity or an entity operating a venue. A mobile device 110can transmit data corresponding to the access right (e.g., anaccess-enabling code) to a client device upon, for example, detectingthe client device, detecting that a location of the mobile device 110 iswithin a prescribed geographical region, or detecting particular input.The receiving client device may include, for example, a client agentdevice 170 operated at an entrance of a defined geographical location ora client register 160 that includes or is attached to a lockingturnstile. The client device can then analyze the code to confirm itsvalidity and applicability for a particular resource and/or access type,and admittance to the event can be accordingly permitted. For example, aturnstile may change from a locked to an unlocked mode upon confirmationof the code's validity and applicability.

Each of the depicted devices and/or systems may include a software agentor application (“app”) that, when executed, performs one or more actionsas described herein. In some instances, a software agent or app on onedevice is, at least in part, complementary to a software agent or app onanother device (e.g., such that a software agent or app on mobile device110 is, at least in part, complementary to at least part of one onaccess management system 185 and/or a client device; and/or such that asoftware agent or app on intermediate system 150 is, at least in part,complementary to at least part of one on access management system 185).

In some instances, a network in the one or more networks 155 can includean open network, such as the Internet, personal area network, local areanetwork (LAN), campus area network (CAN), metropolitan area network(MAN), wide area network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), aprivate network, such as an intranet, extranet, or other backbone. Insome instances, a network in the one or more networks 155 includes ashort-range communication channel, such as Bluetooth or Bluetooth LowEnergy channel. Communicating using a short-range communication such asBLE channel can provide advantages such as consuming less power, beingable to communicate across moderate distances, being able to detectlevels of proximity, achieving high-level security based on encryptionand short ranges, and not requiring pairing for inter-devicecommunications.

In one embodiment, communications between two or more systems and/ordevices can be achieved by a secure communications protocol, such assecure sockets layer (SSL), transport layer security (TLS). In addition,data and/or transactional details may be encrypted based on anyconvenient, known, or to be developed manner, such as, but not limitedto, DES, Triple DES, RSA, Blowfish, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES),CAST-128, CAST-256, Decorrelated Fast Cipher (DFC), Tiny EncryptionAlgorithm (TEA), eXtended TEA (XTEA), Corrected Block TEA (XXTEA),and/or RCS, etc.

It will be appreciated that, while a variety of devices and systems areshown in FIG. 1, in some instances, resource management system 100 caninclude fewer devices and/or systems. Further, some systems and/ordevices can be combined. For example, a client agent device 170 may alsoserve as an access management system 185 or intermediate system 150 soas to as to facilitate assignment of access rights.

As described in further detail herein, an interaction between mobiledevice 110 and a client device (e.g., client agent device 170, clientregister 160 or client point device 165) can facilitate, for example,verification that user 105 has a valid and applicable access right,obtaining an assignment of an access right, and/or obtaining anassignment of an upgraded access right.

In addition, mobile device 110-2, which is operated by user 125-2, mayinclude a user device that is located at a stadium or concert hallduring an event. Mobile device 110-2 may directly interact with a clientdevice (e.g., client agent device 170, client register 160 or clientpoint device 165), which is also located at the stadium or concert hallduring the event. As such, the access management system 185 may beupdated or accessed by mobile device 110-2 via the client agent device170. For example, mobile device 110-2 may communicate with the clientagent device 170 over a short-range communication channel 190, such asBluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy channel, Near Field Communication(NFC), Wi-Fi, RFID, Zigbee, ANT, etc. Communicating using a short-rangecommunication such as BLE channel can provide advantages such asconsuming less power, being able to communicate across moderatedistances, being able to detect levels of proximity, achievinghigh-level security based on encryption and short ranges, and notrequiring pairing for inter-device communications. After the short-rangecommunication link 190 is established, mobile device 110-2 maycommunicate with the access management system 185 and access the item oritems of resources. That is, while mobile device B is configured tocommunicate over network 155, mobile device 110-2 may communicate withthe access management system 185 via the client agent device 170,instead of the network 155.

It will be appreciated that various parts of system 100 can begeographically separated. It will further be appreciated that system 100can include a different number of various components rather than anumber depicted in FIG. 1. For example, two or more of access assignmentsystems 185; one or more site systems 180; and intermediate system 150may be located in different geographic locations (e.g., differentcities, states or countries).

FIG. 2 shows an illustration of hardware and network connections of aresource access-facilitating interaction system 200 according to anembodiment of the invention. Each of various user devices 210-1, 210-2,210-3, 210-4 and 210-5 can connect, via one or more inter-networkconnection components (e.g., a router 212) and one or more networks 270to a primary assignment management system 214 or a secondary assignmentmanagement system 216-1, 216-2 or 216-3.

Primary assignment management system 214 can be configured to coordinateand/or control initial assignment of access rights. Secondary assignmentmanagement system 216 can be configured to coordinate and/or controlreassignment and/or transfer of access rights (e.g., from one user oruser device to another or from an intermediate agent to a user or userdevice). Such transfer may occur as a result of a sale or fee payment.Secondary assignment management system 216 may also manage transferoffers (e.g., to allow a first user to identify a price at which atransfer request would be granted and to detect if a valid request isreceived). It will be appreciated that, although primary assignmentmanagement system 214 is shown to be separate from each secondaryassignment management system 216, in some instances, an assignmentmanagement system may relate to both a primary and secondary channel,and a single data store or a localized cluster of data stores mayinclude data from both channels.

Each of primary access assignment system 214 and secondary accessassignment system 216 can include a web server 218 that processes andresponds to HTTP requests. Web server 218 can retrieve and deliverweb-page data to a user device 210 that, for example, identify aresource, identify a characteristic of each of one or more access rightsfor the resource, include an invitation to request assignment of anaccess right, facilitate establishment or updating of an account, and/oridentify characteristics of one or more assigned access rights. Webserver 218 can be configured to support server-side scripting and/orreceive data from user devices 210, such as data from forms or fileuploads.

In some instances, a web server 218 can be configured to communicatedata about a resource and an indication that access rights for theresource are available. Web server 218 can receive a requestcommunication from a user device 210 that corresponds to a request forinformation about access rights. The request can include one or moreconstraints, which can correspond to (for example) values (e.g., to bematched or to define a range) of particular fields.

A management server 222 can interact with web server 218 to provideindications as to which access rights' are available for assignment,characteristics of access rights and/or what data is needed to assign anaccess right. When requisite information is received (e.g., about a userand/or user device, identifying a final request for one or more accessrights, including payment information, and so on), management server 222can coordinate an assignment of the one or more access rights. Thecoordination can include updating an access-right data store to change astatus of the one or more access rights (e.g., to assigned); toassociate each of the one or more access rights with a user and/or userdevice; to generate or identify one or more access-enabling codes forthe one or more access rights; and/or to facilitate transmissionreflecting the assignment (e.g., and including the one or moreaccess-enabling codes) to a user device.

Management server 222 can query, update and manage an access-right datastore to identify access rights' availability and/or characteristicand/or to reflect a new assignment. The data store can include oneassociated with the particular assignment system. In some instances, thedata store includes incomplete data about access rights for a resource.For example, a data store 224 at and/or used by a secondary accessassignment system 216 may include data about an incomplete subset ofaccess rights that have been allocated for a particular resource. Toillustrate, a client agent may have indicated that an independentintermediary system can (exclusively or non-exclusively) coordinateassignment of a portion of access rights for a resource but not theremainder. A data store 224 may then, for example, selectively includeinformation (e.g., characteristics, statuses and/or assignmentassociations) for access rights in the portion.

Data store 224 or 226 associated with a particular primary or secondaryaccess assignment system can include assignment data for a set of accessrights that are configured to be set by the particular primary orsecondary access assignment system or by another system. For example, arule can indicate that a given access right is to have an availablestatus until a first of a plurality of access assignment systems assignsthe access right. Accordingly, access assignment systems would then needto communicate to alert each other of assignments.

In one instance, management server 222 (or another server in an accessassignment system) sends a communication to a central data managementserver farm 228 reflecting one or more recent assignments. Thecommunication may include an identification of one or more accessrights, an indication that the access right(s) have been assigned, anidentification of a user and/or user device associated with theassignment and/or one or more access-enabling codes generated oridentified to be associated with the assignment. The communication canbe sent, for example, upon assigning the access right(s), as a precursorto assigning the access right(s) (e.g., to confirm availability and/orrequest assignment authorization), at defined times or time intervalsand/or in response to an assignment-update request received from datamanagement server farm 228.

Data management server farm 228 can then update a central data store toreflect the data from the communication. The central data store can bepart of, for example, a network-attached storage 232 and/or astorage-area network 234.

In some instances, a data store 224 or 226 can include a cache, thatincludes data stored based on previous communications with datamanagement server farm 228. For example, data management server farm 228may periodically transmit statuses of a set of access rights (e.g.,those initially configured to be assignable by an access assignmentsystem) or an updated status (e.g., indicating an assignment) of one ormore access rights. As another example, data management server farm 228may transmit statuses upon receiving a request from an access assignmentsystem for statuses and/or authorization to assign one or more accessrights.

An access assignment system may receive statuses less frequently or attimes unaligned with requests received from user devices requestinginformation about access rights and/or assignments. Rather than initiatea central data store query responsive to each user-device request, amanagement server 222 can rely on cached data (e.g., locally cacheddata) to identify availability of one or more access rights, as reflectin webpage data and/or communications responsive to requestcommunications for access-right information. After requisite informationhas been obtained, management server 222 can then communicate with datamanagement server farm 228 to ensure that one or more particular accessrights have remained available for assignment.

In some instances, one or more of primary access assignment system 214and/or a secondary access assignment system 214 need not include a localor system-inclusive data store for tracking access-right statuses,assignments and/or characteristics. Instead, the access assignmentsystem may communicate with a remote and/or central data store (e.g.,network-attached storage 232 or storage-area network 234).

Access management system 120 can include a primary access assignmentsystem 214 and/or a secondary access assignment system 214; datamanagement server farm 228; and/or a central data store (e.g.,network-attached storage 232 or storage-area network 234). Each of oneor more intermediate systems 130 can include a primary access assignmentsystem 214 and/or a secondary access assignment system 214.

Data management server farm 228 may periodically and/or routinely assessa connection with an access assignment system 214. For example, a testcommunication can be sent that is indicative of a request to respond(e.g., with particular data or generally). If a response communicationis not received, if a response communication is not received within adefined time period and/or if a response communication includesparticular data (e.g., reflecting poor data integrity, network speed,processing speed, etc.), data management server farm 228 may reconfigureaccess rights and/or permissions and/or may transmit anothercommunication indicating that assignment rights of the access assignmentsystem are limited (e.g., to prevent the system from assigning accessrights).

It will be appreciated that various parts of system 200 can begeographically separated. For example, two or more of primary accessassignment system 214; one or more of secondary access assignmentsystems 214; and data management server farm 228 may be located indifferent geographic locations (e.g., different cities, states orcountries).

It will further be appreciated that system 200 can include a differentnumber of various components rather than a number depicted in FIG. 2.For example, system 200 can include multiple data management serverfarms 228, central data stores and/or primary access assignment systems214 (e.g., which can be geographically separated, such as being locatedin different cities, states or countries). In some instances, processingmay be split (e.g., according to a load-balancing technique) acrossmultiple data management server farms 228 and/or across multiple accessassignment systems 214. Meanwhile, the farms and/or systems can beconfigured to accept an increased or full load should another farmand/or system be unavailable (e.g., due to maintenance). Data stored ina central data store may also be replicated in geographically separateddata stores.

FIG. 3 shows an illustration of a communication exchange betweencomponents involved in a resource access-facilitating interaction system300 according to an embodiment of the invention. A user device 310 cansend one or more HTTP requests to a web-server system 318, andweb-server system 318 can respond with one or more HTTP responses thatinclude webpage data. The webpage data can include, for example,information about one or more resources, characteristics of a set ofaccess rights for each of the one or more resources, availability of oneor more access rights, an invitation to request an assignment of one ormore access rights and/or indications as to what information is requiredfor an access-right assignment. HTTP requests can includeassignment-request data (e.g., a resource identification, requisiteinformation, and/or an identification of an access-right constraint oraccess right).

Web-server system 318 can include one or more web processors (e.g.,included in one or more server farms, which may be geographicallyseparated) to, for example, map a path component of a URL to web data(e.g., stored in a local file system or generated by a program);retrieve the web data; and/or generate a response communicationincluding the web data. Web processor can further parse communication toidentify input-corresponding data in HTTP requests, such as field valuesrequired for an access-right assignment.

Web-server system 318 can also include a load balancer to distributeprocessing tasks across multiple web processors. For example, HTTPrequests can be distributed to different web processors. Load-balancingtechniques can be configured so as, for example, to distributeprocessing across servers or server farms, decrease a number of hopsbetween a web server and user device, decrease a geographical locationbetween a user device and web server, etc.

Web-server system 318 can further include a RAID component, such as aRAID controller or card. A RAID component can be configured, forexample, to stripe data across multiple drives, distribute parity acrossdrives and/or mirror data across multiple drives. The RAID component canbe configured to improve reliability and increase request-processingspeeds.

Web-server system 318 can include one or more distributed,non-distributed, virtual, non-virtual, local and/or remote data stores.The data stores can include web data, scripts and/or content object(e.g., to be presented as part or web data).

Some HTTP requests include requests for identifications of access-rightcharacteristics and/or availability. To provide web data reflecting suchinformation, web-server system 318 can request the information fromanother server, such as an SQL system 341 (e.g., which may include oneor more servers or one or more server farms).

SQL system 341 can include one or more SQL processors (e.g., included inone or more server farms, which may be geographically separated). SQLprocessors can be configured to query, update and otherwise use one ormore relational data stores. SQL processors can be configured to execute(and, in some instances, generate) code (e.g., SQL code) to query arelational data store.

SQL system 341 can include a database engine, that includes a relationalengine, OLE database and storage engine. A relational engine canprocess, parse, compile, and/or optimize a query and/or makequery-associated calls. The relational engine can identify an OLE DB rowset that identifies the row with columns matching search criteria and/ora ranking value. A storage engine can manage data access and use therowset (e.g., to access tables and indices) to retrieve query-responsivedata from one or more relational databases.

SQL system 341 can include one or more distributed, non-distributed,virtual, non-virtual, local and/or remote relational data stores. Therelational databases can include linked data structures identifying, forexample, resource information, access-right identifications andcharacteristics, access-right statuses and/or assignments, and/or userand/or user account data. Thus, for example, use of the relationalstructures may facilitate identifying, for a particular user, acharacteristic of an assigned access right and information about aresource associated with the access right.

One or more data structures in a relational data structure may reflectwhether particular access rights have been assigned or remain available.This data may be based on data received from a catalog system 342 thatmonitors and tracks statuses of resource access rights. Catalog system342 can include one or more catalog processors (e.g., included in one ormore server farms, which may be geographically separated). Catalogprocessors can be configured to generate status-update requestcommunications to be sent to one or more access assignment systemsand/or intermediate systems and/or to receive status-updatecommunications from one or more access assignment systems and/orintermediate systems. A status-update communication can, for example,identify an access right and/or resource and indicate an assignment ofthe access right. For example, a status-update communication canindicate that a particular access right has been assigned and is thus nolonger available. In some instances, a status-update communicationidentifies assignment details, such as a user, account and/or userdevice associated with an access-right assignment; a time that theassignment was made; and/or a price associated with the assignment.

In some instances, a status update is less explicit. For example, acommunication may identify an access right and/or resource and request afinal authorization of an assignment of the access right. Catalog system342 can then verify that the access right is available for assignment(e.g., and that a request-associated system or entity is authorized tocoordinate the assignment) and can transmit an affirmative response.Such a communication exchange can indicate (in some instances) that theaccess right is assigned and unavailable for other assignment.

In some instances, catalog system 342 can also be integrated with anon-intermediate access assignment system, such that it can directlydetect assignments. For example, an integrated access assignment systemcan coordinate a message exchange with a user device, can query acatalog data store to identify available access rights and canfacilitate or trigger a status-change of an access right to reflect anassignment (e.g., upon having received all required information.

Whether a result of a direct assignment detection or a status updatefrom an intermediate system, a database engine of catalog system 342 canmanage one or more data stores so as to indicate a current status ofeach of a set of access rights for a resource. The one or more datastores may further identify any assignment constraints. For example,particular access rights may be earmarked so as to only allow one ormore particular intermediate systems to trigger a change to the accessrights' status and/or to assign the access rights.

The database engine can include a digital asset management (DAM) engineto receive, transform (e.g., annotate, reformat, introduce a schema,etc.) status-update communications, and identify other data (e.g., anidentifier of an assigning system and/or a time at which a communicationwas received) to associate with a status update (e.g., an assignment).Therefore, the DAM engine can be configured to prepare storage-updatetasks so as to cause a maintained data store to reflect a recent datachange.

Further, the DAM engine can facilitate handling of data-store queries.For example, a status-request communication or authorization-requestcommunication can be processed to identify variables and/or indices touse to query a data store. A query can then be generated and/or directedto a data store based on the processing. The DAM engine can relay (e.g.,and, potentially, perform intermediate processing to) a query result toa request-associate system.

The database engine can also include a conflict engine, which can beconfigured to access and implement rules indicating how conflicts are tobe handled. For example, catalog system 342 may receive multiplerequests within a time period requesting an assignment authorization (ora hold) for a particular access right. A rule may indicate that a firstrequest is to receive priority, that a request associated with a morehighly prioritized requesting system (e.g., intermediate system) is tobe prioritized, that a request associated with a relatively high (orlow) quantity of access rights identified in the request for potentialassignment are to be prioritized, etc.

The database engine can further include a storage engine configured tomanage data access and/or data updates (e.g., modifying existing data oradding new data). The data managed by and/or accessible to the storageengine can be included in one or more data stores. The data stores caninclude, for example, distributed, non-distributed, virtual,non-virtual, local and/or remote data stores. The data stores caninclude, for example, a relational, non-relational, object, non-object,document and/or non-document data store. Part or all of a data store caninclude a shadow data store, that shadows data from another data store.Part or all of a data store can include an authoritative data store thatis (e.g., directly and/or immediately) updated with access-rightassignment changes (e.g., such that a primary or secondary accessassignment system updates the data store as part of an access-rightassignment process, rather than sending a post-hoc status-updatecommunication reflecting the assignment). In some instances, a datastore an authoritative data store identifies a status for each of a set(e.g., or all) of access rights for a given resource. Should there beany inconsistency between an authoritative data store and another datastore (e.g., at an intermediate system), system 300 can be configuredsuch that the authoritative data store is controlling.

System 300 can further include a replication system 343. Replicationsystem 343 can include one or more replication processors configured toidentify new or modified data, to identify one or more data storesand/or location at which to store the new or modified data and/or tocoordinate replication of the data. In some instances, one or more ofthese identifications and/or coordination can be performed using areplication rule. For example, a replication rule may indicate thatreplication is to be performed in a manner biased towards storingreplicated data at a data store geographically separated from anotherdata store storing the data.

A data duplicator can be configured to read stored data and generate oneor more write commands so as to store the data at a different datastore. A controller can manage transmitting write commands appropriatelyso as to facilitate storing replicated data at identified data stores.Further, a controller can manage data stores, such as a distributedmemory or distributed shared memory, to ensure that a currently activeset of data stores includes a target number of replications of data.

Accordingly, web-server system 318 can interact with user device 310 toidentify available access rights and to collect information needed toassign an access right. Web-server system 318 can interact with SQLsystem 341 so as to retrieve data about particular resources and/oraccess rights so as to configure web data (e.g., via dynamic webpages orscripts) to reflect accurate or semi-accurate information and/orstatuses. SQL system 341 can use relational data stores to quicklyprovide such data. Meanwhile, catalog system 342 may manage one or morenon-relational and/or more comprehensive data stores may be tasked withmore reliably and quickly tracking access-right statuses andassignments. The tracking may include receiving status updates (e.g.,via a push or pull protocol) from one or more intermediate systemsand/or by detecting assignment updates from non-intermediate systems,such as an integrated access assignment system and/or SQL system 341.Catalog system 342 may provide condensed status updates (e.g.,reflecting a binary indication as to whether an access right isavailable) to SQL system 341 periodically, at triggered times and/or inresponse to a request from the SQL system. A replication system 343 canfurther ensure that data is replicated at multiple data stores, so as toimprove a reliability and speed of system 300.

It will be appreciated that various parts of system 300 can begeographically separated. For example, each of user device 310,intermediate system 330, web-server system 318, SQL system 341, catalogsystem 342 and replication 343 may be located in different geographiclocations (e.g., different cities, states or countries).

FIG. 4 illustrates example components of a device 400, such as a clientdevice (e.g., client agent device 140, client register 150 and/or clientpoint device 160), an intermediate system (e.g., intermediate system130) and/or an access management system (e.g., access management system120) according to an embodiment of the invention.

The components can include one or more modules that can be installed ondevice 400. Modules can include some or all of the following: a networkinterface module 402 (which can operate in a link layer of a protocolstack), a message processor module 404 (which can operate in an IP layerof a protocol stack), a communications manager module 406 (which canoperate in a transport layer of a protocol stack), a communicationsconfigure module 408 (which can operate in a transport and/or IP layerin a protocol stack), a communications rules provider module 410 (whichcan operate in a transport and/or IP layer in a protocol stack),application modules 412 (which can operate in an application layer of aprotocol stack), a physical access control module 432 and one or moreenvironmental sensors 434.

Network interface module 402 receives and transmits messages via one ormore hardware components that provide a link-layer interconnect. Thehardware component(s) can include, for example, RF antenna 403 or a port(e.g., Ethernet port) and supporting circuitry. In some embodiments,network interface module 402 can be configured to support wirelesscommunication, e.g., using Wi Fi (IEEE 802.11 family standards),Bluetooth® (a family of standards promulgated by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.),BLE, or near-field communication (implementing the ISO/IEC 18092standards or the like).

RF antenna 403 can be configured to convert electric signals into radioand/or magnetic signals (e.g., to radio waves) to transmit to anotherdevice and/or to receive radio and/or magnetic signals and convert themto electric signals. RF antenna 403 can be tuned to operate within aparticular frequency band. In some instances, a device includes multipleantennas, and the antennas can be, for example, physically separated. Insome instances, antennas differ with respect to radiation patterns,polarizations, take-off angle gain and/or tuning bands. RF interfacemodule 402 can include one or more phase shifters, filters, attenuators,amplifiers, switches and/or other components to demodulate receivedsignals, coordinate signal transmission and/or facilitate high-qualitysignal transmission and receipt.

In some instances, network interface module 402 includes a virtualnetwork interface, so as to enable the device to utilize an intermediatedevice for signal transmission or reception. For example, networkinterface module 402 can include VPN software.

Network interface module 402 and one or more antennas 403 can beconfigured to transmit and receive signals over one or more connectiontypes. For example, network interface module 402 and one or moreantennas 403 can be configured to transmit and receive WiFi signals,cellular signals, Bluetooth signals, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals,Zigbee signals, or Near-Field Communication (NFC) signals.

Message processor module 404 can coordinate communication with otherelectronic devices or systems, such as one or more servers or a userdevice. In one instance, message processor module 404 is able tocommunicate using a plurality of protocols (e.g., any known, futureand/or convenient protocol such as, but not limited to, XML, SMS, MMS,and/or email, etc.). Message processor module 404 may further optionallyserialize incoming and/or outgoing messages and facilitate queuing ofincoming and outgoing message traffic.

Message processor module 404 can perform functions of an IP layer in anetwork protocol stack. For example, in some instances, messageprocessor module 404 can format data packets or segments, combine datapacket fragments, fragment data packets and/or identify destinationapplications and/or device addresses. For example, message processormodule 404 can defragment and analyze an incoming message to determinewhether it is to be forwarded to another device and, if so, can addressand fragment the message before sending it to the network interfacemodule 402 to be transmitted. As another example, message processormodule 404 can defragment and analyze an incoming message to identify adestination application that is to receive the message and can thendirect the message (e.g., via a transport layer) to the application.

Communications manager module 406 can implement transport-layerfunctions. For example, communications manager module 406 can identify atransport protocol for an outgoing message (e.g., transmission controlprotocol (TCP) or user diagram protocol (UDP)) and appropriatelyencapsulate the message into transport protocol data units. Messageprocessor module 404 can initiate establishment of connections betweendevices, monitor transmissions failures, control data transmission ratesand monitoring transmission quality. As another example, communicationsmanager module 406 can read a header of an incoming message to identifyan application layer protocol to receive the message's data. The datacan be separated from the header and sent to the appropriateapplication. Message processor module 404 can also monitor the qualityof incoming messages and/or detect out of order incoming packets.

In some instances, characteristics of message-receipt ormessage-transmission quality can be used to identify a health status ofan established communications link. In some instances, communicationsmanager module 406 can be configured to detect signals indicating thehealth status of an established communications link (e.g., a periodicsignal from the other device system, which if received without dropouts,indicates a healthy link).

In some instances, a communication configurer module 408 is provided totrack attributes of another system so as to facilitate establishment ofa communication session. In one embodiment, communication configurermodule 408 further ensures that inter-device communications areconducted in accordance with the identified communication attributesand/or rules. Communication configurer module 408 can maintain anupdated record of the communication attributes of one or more devices orsystems. In one embodiment, communications configurer module 408 ensuresthat communications manager module 406 can deliver the payload providedby message processor module 404 to the destination (e.g., by ensuringthat the correct protocol corresponding to the client system is used).

A communications rules provider module 410 can implement one or morecommunication rules that relate to details of signal transmissions orreceipt. For example, a rule may specify or constrain a protocol to beused, a transmission time, a type of link or connection to be used, adestination device, and/or a number of destination devices. A rule maybe generally applicable or conditionally applicable (e.g., only applyingfor messages corresponding to a particular app, during a particular timeof day, while a device is in a particular geographical region, when ausage of a local device resource exceeds a threshold, etc.). Forexample, a rule can identify a technique for selecting between a set ofpotential destination devices based on attributes of the set ofpotential destination devices as tracked by communication configuremodule 408. To illustrate, a device having a short response latency maybe selected as a destination device. As another example, communicationsrules provider 410 can maintain associations between various devices orsystems and resources. Thus, messages corresponding to particularresources can be selectively transmitted to destinations having accessto such resources.

A variety of application modules 412 can be configured to initiatemessage transmission, process incoming transmissions, facilitateselective granting of resource access, facilitate processing of requestsfor resource access, and/or performing other functions. In the instancedepicted in FIG. 4, application modules 412 include an auto-updatermodule 414, a resource access coordinator module 416, and/or a codeverification module 418.

Auto-updater module 414 automatically updates stored data and/or agentsoftware based on recent changes to resource utilization, availabilityor schedules and/or updates to software or protocols. Such updates canbe pushed from another device (e.g., upon detecting a change in aresource availability or access permit) or can be received in responseto a request sent by device 400. For example, device 400 can transmit asignal to another device that identifies a particular resource, and aresponsive signal can identify availabilities of access to the resource(e.g., available seat reservations for a sporting event or concert). Asanother example, device 400 can transmit a signal that includes anaccess access-enabling code, and a responsive signal can indicatewhether the code is applicable for access of a particular resourceand/or is valid.

In some instances, auto-updater module 414 is configured to enable theagent software to understand new, messages, commands, and/or protocols,based on a system configuration/change initiated on another device.Auto-updater module 414 may also install new or updated software toprovide support and/or enhancements, based on a system configurationchange detected on device 400. System configuration changes that wouldnecessitate changes to the agent software can include, but are notlimited to, a software/hardware upgrade, a security upgrade, a routerconfiguration change, a change in security settings, etc. For example,if auto-updater module 414 determines that a communication link withanother device has been lost for a pre-determined amount of time,auto-updater module 414 can obtain system configuration information tohelp re-establish the communication link. Such information may includenew settings/configurations on one or more hardware devices or new orupgraded software on or connected to device 400. Thus, auto-updatermodule 414 can detect or be informed by other software when there is anew version of agent software with additional functionality and/ordeficiency/bug corrections or when there is a change with respect to thesoftware, hardware, communications channel, etc.), and perform updatesaccordingly.

Based on the newly obtained system configuration for device 400,auto-updater module 414 can cause a new communication link to bere-established with another device. In one embodiment, uponestablishment of the communication link, system configurationinformation about device 400 can also be provided to another device tofacilitate the connection to or downloading of software to device 400.

In one embodiment, when a poor health signal is detected by anotherdevice (e.g., when the health signal is only sporadically received butthe communication link is not necessarily lost), the other device cansend a command to auto-updater module 414 to instruct auto-updatermodule 414 to obtain system configuration information about device 400.The updated system configuration information may be used in an attemptto revive the unhealthy communications link (e.g., by resending aresource request). For example, code can utilize appropriate systemcalls for the operating system to fix or reestablish communications. Byway of example and not limitation, model and driver information isoptionally obtained for routers in the system in order querying them. Byway of further example, if the code determines that a new brand ofrouter has been installed, it can adapt to that change, or to the changein network configuration, or other changes.

Instead or in addition, the host server (e.g., via communicationsmanager 406) can send specific instructions to auto-updater module 414to specify tests or checks to be performed on device 400 to determinethe changes to the system configurations (e.g., by automaticallyperforming or requesting an inventory check of system hardware and/orsoftware). For example, the components involved in the chain of hopsthrough a network can be queried and analyzed. Thus, for example, if anew ISP (Internet service provider) is being used and the managementsystem traffic is being filtered, or a new router was installed and thesoftware needs to change its configuration, or if someone made a changeto the operating system that affects port the management system is usingto communicate, the management system (or operator) can communicate withthe ISP, change it back, or choose from a new available port,respectively.

The specific tests may be necessary to help establish the communicationlink, if, for example, the automatic tests fail to provide sufficientinformation for the communication link to be re-established, ifadditional information is needed about a particular configurationchange, and/or if the client system is not initially supported by theauto-updater module 414, etc.

Auto-updater module 414 can also receive signals identifying updatespertaining to current or future availability of resources and/or accesspermits. Based on the signals, auto-updater module 414 can modify, addto or delete stored data pertaining to resource availabilities, resourceschedules and/or valid access permits. For example, upon receiving anupdate signal, auto-updater 414 can modify data stored in one or moredata stores 422, such as an account data store 424, resourcespecification data store 426, resource status data store 428 and/oraccess-enabling code data store 430.

Account data store 424 can store data for entities, such asadministrators, intermediate-system agents and/or users. The accountdata can include login information (e.g., username and password),identifying information (e.g., name, residential address, phone number,email address, age and/or gender), professional information (e.g.,occupation, affiliation and/or professional position), preferences(e.g., regarding event types, performers, seating areas, and/or resourcetypes), purchase data (e.g., reflecting dates, prices and/or items ofpast purchases) and/or payment data (e.g., credit card number andexpiration date or payment account information). The account data canalso or alternatively include technical data, such a particular entitycan be associated with one or more device types, IP addresses, browseridentifier and/or operating system identifier).

Resource specification data store 426 can store specification datacharacterizing each of one or more resources. For example, specificationdata for a resource can include a processing power, available memory,operating system, compatibility, device type, processor usage, powerstatus, device model, number of processor cores, types of memories, dateand time of availability, a performing entity, a venue of the eventand/or a set of seats (e.g., a chart or list). Specification data canfurther identify, for example, a cost for each of one or more accessrights.

Resource status data store 428 can store status data reflecting whichresources are available (or unavailable), thereby indicating whichresources have one or more open assignments. In some instances, thestatus data can include schedule information about when a resource isavailable. Status data can include information identifying an entity whorequested, reserved or was assigned a resource. In some instances,status information can indicate that a resource is being held orreserved and may identify an entity associated with the hold or reserveand/or a time at which the hold or reservation will be released.

Access-enabling code data store 430 can store access-enabling code datathat includes one or more codes and/or other information that can beused to indicate that an entity is authorized to use, have or receive aresource. An access-enabling code can include, for example, a numericstring, an alphanumeric string, a text string, a 1-dimensional code, a2-dimensional code, a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, an image, astatic code and/or a temporally dynamic code. An access-enabling codecan be, for example, unique across all instances, resource types and/orentities. For example, access-enabling codes provided in association fortickets to a particular event can be unique relative to each other. Insome instances, at least part of a code identifies a resource orspecification of a resource. For example, for a ticket to a concert,various portions of a code may reflect: a performing entity, resourcelocation, date, section and access-permitted location identifier.

One or more of data stores 424, 426, 428, and 430 can be a relationaldata store, such that elements in one data store can be referencedwithin another data store. For example, resource status data store 428can associate an identifier of a particular ticket with an identifier ofa particular entity. Additional information about the entity can then beretrieved by looking up the entity identifier in account data store 424.

Updates to data stores 424, 426, 428, and 430 facilitated and/orinitiated by auto-updater module 414 can improve cross-device dataconsistency. Resource access coordinator module 416 can coordinateresource access by, for example, generating and distributingidentifications of resource availabilities; processing requests forresource access; handling competing requests for resource access; and/orreceiving and responding to resource-offering objectives.

FIG. 5 illustrates example components of resource access coordinatormodule 416 that may operate, at least in part, at an access managementsystem (e.g., access management system) according to an embodiment ofthe invention. A resource specification engine 502 can identify one ormore available resources. For example, resource specification engine 502can detect input that identifies a current or future availability of anew resource.

Resource specification engine 502 can identify one or morespecifications of each of one or more resources. A specification caninclude an availability time period. For example, resource specificationengine 502 can determine that a resource is available, for example, at aparticular date and time (e.g., as identified based on input), for atime period (e.g., a start to end time), as identified in the input,and/or from a time of initial identification until another inputindicating that the resource is unavailable is detected. A specificationcan also or alternatively include a location (e.g., a geographiclocation and/or venue) of the resource. A specification can also oralternatively include one or more parties associated with the resource(e.g., performing acts or teams). Resource specification engine 502 canstore the specifications in association with an identifier of theresource in resource specifications data store 426.

A resource-access allocation engine 504 can allocate access rights forindividual resources. An access right can serve to provide an associatedentity with the right or a priority to access a resource. Because (forexample) association of an access right with an entity can, in someinstances, be conditioned on fee payment or authorization thereof, anallocated access right can be initially unassociated with particularentities (e.g., users). For example, an allocated right can correspondto one or more access characteristics, such as an processor identifier,a usage time, a memory allocation, a geographic location (e.g., sectionor seat identifier), and/or a fee. For an allocated access right,resource-access allocation engine 504 can store an identifier of theright in resource statuses data store 428 in association with anidentifier for the resource and an indication that it has not yet beenassigned to a particular entity.

A communication engine 506 can facilitate communicating the availabilityof the resource access rights to users. In some instances, a publisherengine 508 generates a presentation that identifies a resource andindicates that access rights are available. Initially or in response touser interaction with the presentation, the presentation can identifyaccess characteristics about available access rights. The presentationcan include, for example, a chart that identifies available accessrights for an event and corresponding fees. Publisher engine 508 candistribute the presentation via, for example, a website, app page, emailand/or message. The presentation can be further configured to enable auser to request assignments of one or more access rights.

In some instances, an intermediate system coordination engine 510 canfacilitate transmission of information about resource availability(e.g., resource specifications and characteristics of resource-accessrights) to one or more intermediate systems (e.g., by generating one ormore messages that include such information and/or facilitatingpublishing such information via a website or app page). Each of the oneor more intermediate systems can publish information about the resourceand accept requests for resource access. In some instances, intermediatesystem coordination engine 510 identifies different access rights asbeing available to individual intermediate systems to coordinateassignment. For example, access rights for seats in Section 1 may beprovided for a first intermediate system to assign, and access rightsfor seats in Section 2 may be provided to a second intermediate systemto assign.

In some instances, overlapping access rights are made available tomultiple intermediate systems to coordinate assignments. For example,some or all of a first set of resource rights (e.g., corresponding to asection) may be provided to first and second intermediate systems. Insuch instances, intermediate system coordination engine 510 can respondto a communication from a first intermediate system indicating that arequest has been received (e.g., and processed) for an access right inthe set) by sending a notification to one or more other intermediatesystems that indicates that the access right is to be at leasttemporarily (or entirely) made unavailable.

Intermediate system coordination engine 510 can monitor communicationchannels with intermediate systems to track the health and security ofthe channel. For example, a healthy connection can be inferred whenscheduled signals are consistently received. Further, intermediatesystem coordination engine 510 can track configurations of intermediatesystems (e.g., via communications generated at the intermediate systemsvia a software agent that identifies such configurations) so as toinfluence code generation, communication format, and/or provisions oraccess rights.

Thus, either via a presentation facilitated by publisher engine 508(e.g., via a web site or app page) or via communication with anintermediate system, a request for assignment of an access right can bereceived. A request management engine 512 can process the request.Processing the request can include determining whether all otherrequired information has been received, such as user-identifyinginformation (e.g., name), access-right identifying information (e.g.,identifying a resource and/or access-right characteristic) user contactinformation (e.g., address, phone number, and/or email address), and/oruser device information (e.g., type of device, device identifier, and/orIP address).

When all required information has not been received, request managementengine 512 can facilitate collection of the information (e.g., via awebpage, app page or communication to an intermediate system). Requestmanagement engine 512 can also or alternatively collect paymentinformation, determine that payment information has been received,obtain authorization of payment, determine that payment has beenauthorized (e.g., via an intermediate system), collect payment, and/ordetermine that payment has been collected. For example, publisher engine508 may receive a credit card number and expiration date via a webpage,and request management engine 512 can request authorization for anamount of the requested access rights. In some instances, paymentassessments are performed subsequent to at least temporary assignmentsof access rights. In some instances, request management engine 512retrieves data from a user account. For example, publisher engine 508may indicate that a request for an access right has been received whilea user was logged into a particular account. Request management engine512 may then retrieve, for example, contact information, deviceinformation, and/or preferences and/or payment information associatedwith the account from account data store 424.

In some instances, request management engine 512 prioritizes requests,such as requests for overlapping, similar or same access rights (e.g.,requests for access rights associated with a same section) receivedwithin a defined time period. The prioritization can be based on, forexample, times at which requests were received (e.g., prioritizingearlier requests), a request parameter (e.g., prioritizing requests fora higher or lower number of access rights above others), whetherrequests were received via an intermediate system (e.g., prioritizingsuch requests lower than others), intermediate systems associated withrequests (e.g., based on rankings of the systems), whether requests wereassociated with users having established accounts, and/or whetherrequests were associated with inputs indicative of a bot initiating therequest (e.g., shorter inter-click intervals, failed CAPTCHA tests,purchase history departing from a human profile).

Upon determining that required information has been received andrequest-processing conditions have been met, request management engine512 can forward appropriate request information to a resource schedulingengine 514. For a request, resource scheduling engine 514 can queryresource status data store 428 to identify access rights matchingparameters of the request.

In some instances, the request has an access-right specificity matchinga specificity at which access rights are assigned. In some instances,the request is less specific, and resource scheduling engine 514 canthen facilitate an identification of particular rights to assign. Forexample, request management engine 512 can facilitate a communicationexchange by which access right characteristics matching the request areidentified, and a user is allowed to select particular rights. Asanother example, request management engine 512 can itself select fromamongst matching access rights based on a defined criterion (e.g., bestsummed or averaged access-right ranking, pseudo-random selection, or aselection technique identified based on user input).

Upon identifying appropriately specific access rights, resourcescheduling engine 514 can update resource status data store 428 so as toplace the access right(s) on hold (e.g., while obtaining paymentauthorization and/or user confirmation) and/or to change a status of theaccess right(s) to indicate that they have been assigned (e.g.,immediately, upon receiving payment authorization or upon receiving userconfirmation). Such assignment indication may associate informationabout the user (e.g., user name, device information, phone number and/oremail address) and/or assignment process (e.g., identifier of anyintermediate system and/or assignment date and time) with an identifierof the access right(s).

For individual assigned access rights, an encoding engine 516 cangenerate an access-enabling code. The access-enabling code can include,for example, an alphanumeric string, a text string, a number, a graphic,a barcode (e.g., a 1-dimensional or 2-dimensional barcode), a staticcode, a dynamic code (e.g., with a feature depending on a current time,current location or communication) and/or a technique for generating thecode (e.g., whereby part of the code may be static and part of the codemay be determined using the technique). The code may be unique acrossall access rights, all access rights for a given resource, all accessrights associated with a given location, all access rights associatedwith a given time period, all resources and/or all users. In someinstances, at least part of the code is determined based on or isthereafter associated with an identifier of a user, user deviceinformation, a resource specification and/or an access rightcharacteristic.

In various embodiments, the code may be generated prior to allocatingaccess rights (e.g., such that each of some or all allocated accessrights are associated with an access-enabling code), prior to or whileassigning one or more access right(s) responsive to a request (e.g.,such that each of some or all assigned access rights are associated withan access-enabling code), at a prescribed time, and/or when the deviceis at a defined location and/or in response to user input. The code maybe stored at or availed to a user device. In various instances, at theuser device, an access-enabling code may be provided in a manner suchthat it is visibly available for user inspection or concealed from auser. For example, a ticket document with a barcode may be transmittedto a user device, or an app on the user device can transmit a requestwith a device identifier for a dynamic code.

Encoding engine 516 can store the access-enabling codes inaccess-enabling code data store 430. Encoding engine 516 can also oralternatively store an indication in account data store 424 that theaccess right(s) have been assigned to the user. It will again beappreciated that data stores 424, 426, 428, and 430 can be relationaland/or linked, such that, for example, an identification of anassignment can be used to identify one or more access rights, associatedaccess-enabling code(s) and/or resource specifications.

Resource scheduling engine 514 can facilitate one or more transmissionsof data pertaining to one or more assigned access rights to a device ofa user associated with the assignment. The data can include anindication that access rights have been assigned and/or details as towhich rights have been assigned. The data can also or alternativelyinclude access-enabling codes associated with assigned access rights.

While FIG. 5 depicts components of resource access coordinator module516 that may be present on an access management system 120, it will beappreciated that similar or complementary engines may be present onother systems. For example, a communication engine on a user device canbe configured to display presentations identifying access rightavailability, and a request management engine on a user device can beconfigured to translate inputs into access-right requests to send to anintermediate system or access management system.

Returning to FIG. 4, code verification module 418 (e.g., at a userdevice or client device) can analyze data to determine whether anaccess-enabling code is generally valid and/or valid for a particularcircumstance. The access-enabling code can include one that is receivedat or detected by device 400. The analysis can include, for example,determining whether all or part of the access-enabling code matches onestored in access-enabling code data store 430 or part thereof, whetherthe access-enabling code has previously been applied, whether all orpart of the access-enabling code is consistent with itself or otherinformation (e.g., one or more particular resource specifications, acurrent time and/or a detected location) as determined based on aconsistency analysis and/or whether all or part of the access-enablingcode has an acceptable format.

For example, access-enabling code data store 430 can be organized in amanner such that access-enabling codes for a particular resource, date,resource group, client, etc. can be queried to determine whether anysuch access-enabling codes correspond to (e.g. match) one beingevaluated, which may indicate that the code is verified. Additionalinformation associated with the code may also or alternatively beevaluated. For example, the additional information can indicate whetherthe code is currently valid or expired (e.g., due to a previous use ofthe code).

As another example, a portion of an access-enabling code can include anidentifier of a user device or user account, and code verificationmodule 418 can determine whether the code-identified device or accountmatches that detected as part of the evaluation. To illustrate, device400 can be a client device that electronically receives a communicationwith an access-enabling code from a user device. The communication canfurther include a device identifier that identifies, for example, thatthe user device is a particular type of smartphone. Code verificationmodule 418 can then determine whether device-identifying information inthe code is consistent with the identified type of smartphone.

As yet another example, code verification module 418 can identify a codeformat rule that specifies a format that valid codes are to have. Toillustrate, the code format rule may identify a number of elements thatare to be included in the code or a pattern that is to be present in thecode. Code verification module 418 can then determine that a code is notvalid if it does not conform to the format.

Verification of an access-enabling code can indicate that access to aresource is to be granted. Conversely, determining that a code is notverified can indicate that access to a resource is to be limited orprevented. In some instances, a presentation is generated (e.g., andpresented) that indicates whether access is to be granted and/or aresult of a verification analysis. In some instances, access grantingand/or limiting is automatically affected. For example, upon a codeverification, a user device and/or user may be automatically permittedto access a particular resource. Accessing a resource may include, forexample, using a computational resource, possessing an item, receiving aservice, entering a geographical area, and/or attending an event (e.g.,generally or at a particular location).

Verification of an access-enabling code can further trigger amodification to access-enabling code data store 430. For example, a codethat has been verified can be removed from the data store or associatedwith a new status. This modification may limit attempts to use a samecode multiple times for resource access.

A combination of modules 414, 416, 418 comprise a secure addressableendpoint agent 420 that acts as an adapter and enables cross-deviceinterfacing in a secure and reliable fashion so as to facilitateallocation of access-enabling codes and coordinate resource access.Secure addressable endpoint agent 420 can further generate a healthsignal that is transmitted to another device for monitoring of a statusof a communication channel. The health signal is optionally a shortmessage of a few bytes or many bytes in length that may be transmittedon a frequent basis (e.g., every few milliseconds or seconds). Acommunications manager 406 on the receiving device can then monitors thehealth signal provided by the agent to ensure that the communicationlink between the host server and device 400 is still operational.

In some instances, device 400 can include (or can be in communicationwith) a physical access control 432. Physical access control 432 caninclude a gating component that can be configured to provide a physicalbarrier towards accessing a resource. For example, physical accesscontrol 432 can include a turnstile or a packaging lock.

Physical access control 432 can be configured such that it can switchbetween two modes, which differ in terms of a degree to which useraccess to a resource is permitted. For example, a turnstile may have alocked mode that prevents movement of an arm of the turnstile and anunlocked mode that allows the arm to be rotated. In some instances, adefault mode is the mode that is more limiting in terms of access.

Physical access control 432 can switch its mode in response to receivingparticular results from code verification module 418. For example, uponreceiving an indication that a code has been verified, physical accesscontrol 432 can switch from a locked mode to an unlocked mode. It mayremain in the changed state for a defined period of time or until anaction or event is detected (e.g., rotation of an arm).

Device 400 can also include one or more environmental sensors 434.Measurements from the sensor can processed by one or more applicationmodules. Environmental sensor(s) 434 can include a global positioningsystem (GPS) receiver 435 that can receive signals from one or more GPSsatellites. A GPS chipset can use the signals to estimate a location ofdevice 400 (e.g., a longitude and latitude of device 400). The estimatedlocation can be used to identify a particular resource (e.g., one beingoffered at or near the location at a current or near-term time). Theidentification of the particular resource can be used, for example, toidentify a corresponding (e.g., user-associated) access-enabling code orto evaluate an access-enabling code (e.g., to determine whether itcorresponds to a resource associated with the location).

The estimated location can further or alternatively be used to determinewhen to perform a particular function. For example, at a user device,detecting that the device is in or has entered a particular geographicalregion (e.g., is within a threshold distance from a geofence perimeteror entrance gate) can cause the device to retrieve or request anaccess-enabling code, conduct a verification analysis of the code and/ortransmit the code to a client device.

It will be appreciated that environmental sensor(s) 434 can include oneor more additional or alternative sensors aside from GPS receiver 435.For example, a location of device 400 can be estimated based on signalsreceived by another receive from different sources (e.g., base stations,client point devices or Wi Fi access points). As another example, anaccelerometer and/or gyroscope can be provided. Data from these sensorscan be used to infer when a user is attempting to present anaccess-enabling code for evaluation.

It will also be appreciated that the components and/or engines depictedin figures herein are illustrative, and a device need not include eachdepicted component and/or engine and/or can include one or moreadditional components and/or engines. For example, a device can alsoinclude a user interface, which may include a touch sensor, keyboard,display, camera and/or speakers. As another example, a device caninclude a power component, which can distribute power to components ofthe device. The power component can include a battery and/or aconnection component for connecting to a power source. As yet anotherexample, a module in the application layer can include an operatingsystem. As still another example, an application-layer control processormodule can provide message processing for messages received from anotherdevice. The message processing can include classifying the message androuting it to the appropriate module. To illustrate, the message can beclassified as a request for resource access or for an access-enablingcode, an update message or an indication that a code has been redeemedor verified. The message processing module can further convert a messageor command into a format that can interoperate with a target module.

It will further be appreciated that the components, modules and/oragents could be implemented in one or more instances of software. Thefunctionalities described herein need not be implemented in separatemodules, for example, one or more functions can be implemented in onesoftware instance and/or one software/hardware combination. Othercombinations are similarly be contemplated.

Further yet, it will be appreciated that a storage medium (e.g., usingmagnetic storage media, flash memory, other semiconductor memory (e.g.,DRAM, SRAM), or any other non-transitory storage medium, or acombination of media, and can include volatile and/or non-volatilemedia) can be used to store program code for each of one or more of thecomponents, modules and/or engines depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 and/or tostore any or all data stores depicted in FIG. 4 or described withreference to FIGS. 4 and/or 5. Any device or system disclosed herein caninclude a processing subsystem for executing the code. The processingsystem can be implemented as one or more integrated circuits, e.g., oneor more single-core or multi-core microprocessors or microcontrollers,examples of which are known in the art.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of an embodiment of a process 600 forassigning access rights for resources. Process 600 can be performed byan access management system, such as access management system 120.Process 600 begins at block 605 where resource specification engine 502identifies one or more specifications for a resource. The specificationscan include, for example, a time at which the resource is to beavailable, a location of the resource, a capacity of the resourcesand/or one or more entities (e.g., performing entities) associated withthe resource.

At block 610, resource-access allocation engine 504 allocates a set ofaccess rights for the resource. In some instances, each of at least someof the access rights corresponds to a different access parameter, suchas a different location (e.g., seat) assignment. Upon allocation, eachof some or all of the access rights may have a status as available. Asubset of the set of access rights can be immediately (or at a definedtime) assigned or reserved according to a base assignment or reservationrule (e.g., assigning particular access rights to particular entities,who may be involved in or related to provision of the resource and/orwho have requested or been assigned a set of related access rights.

At block 615, communication engine 506 transmits the resourcespecifications and data about the access rights. The transmission canoccur in one or more transmissions. The transmission can be to, forexample, one or more user devices and/or intermediate systems. In someinstances, a notification including the specifications and access-rightdata is transmitted, and in some instances, a notification can begenerated at a receiving device based on the specifications andaccess-right data. The notification can include, for example, a websitethat identifies a resource (via, at least in part, its specifications)and indicates that access rights for the resource are available forassignment. The notification can include an option to request assignmentof one or more access rights.

At block 620, request management engine 512 receives a request for oneor more access rights to be assigned to a user. The request can, forexample, identify particular access rights and/or access parameters. Therequest can include or be accompanied by other information, such asidentifying information. In some instances, the access management systemcan use at least some of such information to determine whether a fee forthe access rights has been authorized. In some instances, the request isreceived via an intermediate system that has already handled suchauthorization.

At block 625, resource scheduling engine 514 assigns the requested oneor more access rights to the user. The assignment can be conditioned onreceipt of all required information, confirmation that the accessright(s) have remained available for assignment, determining using datacorresponding to the request that a bot-detection condition is notsatisfied, fee provision and/or other defined conditions. Assignment ofthe access right(s) can include associating an identifier of each of theone or more rights with an identifier of a user and/or assignment and/orchanging a status of the access right(s) to assigned. Assignment of theaccess right(s) can result in impeding or preventing other users fromrequesting the access right(s), being assigned the access right(s)and/or being notified that the access right(s) are available forassignment. Assignment of the access right(s) can, in some instances,trigger transmission of one or more communications to, for example, oneor more intermediate systems identifying the access right(s) andindicating that they have been assigned and/or with an instruction tocease offering the access rights.

At block 630, encoding engine 516 generates an access-enabling code foreach of the one or more access rights. The code can be generated, forexample, as part of the assignment, as part of the allocation orsubsequent to the assignment (e.g., upon detecting that a user isrequesting access to the resource). Generating an access-enabling codecan include applying a code-generation technique, such on one thatgenerates a code based on a characteristic of a user, user device,current time, access right, resource, intermediate system or othervariable. The access-enabling code can include a static code that willnot change after it has been initially generated or a dynamic code thatchanges in time (e.g., such that block 630 can be repeated at varioustime points).

At block 635, communication engine 506 transmits a confirmation of theassignment and the access-enabling code(s) in one or more transmissions.The transmission(s) may be sent to one or more devices, such as a userdevice having initiated the request from block 620, a remote server oran intermediate system having relayed the request from block 620.

Referring to FIG. 7A, an embodiment of a site system 180 is shown inrelation to mobile devices 724-n, Network Attached Storage (NAS) 750,site network 716 and the Internet 728. In some embodiments, forattendees of a live event or concert, site network 716 and site system180 provide content, services and/or interactive engagement using mobiledevices 724. Connections to site system 180 and site network 716 can beestablished by mobile devices 724 connecting to access points 720.Mobile devices 724 can be a type of end user device 110 that isportable, e.g., smartphones, mobile phones, tablets, and/or othersimilar devices.

Site network 716 can have access to content (information aboutattendees, videos, pictures, music, trivia information, etc.) held byNAS 750. Additionally, as described herein, content can be gathered fromattendees both before and during the event. By connecting to sitenetwork 716, mobile device 724 can send content for use by site system180 or display content received from NAS 750.

Referring to FIG. 7B, another embodiment of a site system 180 is shownin relation to mobile devices 724-n, Network Attached Storage (NAS) 750,site network 716 and the Internet 728, in an embodiment. FIG. 7Badditionally includes phone switch 740. In some embodiments, phoneswitch 740 can be a private cellular base station configured to spoofthe operation of conventionally operated base stations. Using phoneswitch 740 at an event site allows site system 180 to provide additionaltypes of interactions with mobile devices 724. For example, without anysetup or configuration to accept communications from site controller712, phone switch 740 can cause connected mobile devices 724 to ringand, when answered, have an audio or video call be established. Whenused with other embodiments described herein, phone switch 740 canprovide additional interactions. For example, some embodiments describedherein use different capabilities of mobile devices 724 to cause masssounds and/or establish communications with two or more people. Bycausing phones to ring and by establishing cellular calls, phone switchcan provide additional capabilities to these approaches.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of user device 110 according to anembodiment. User device 110 includes a handheld controller 810 that canbe sized and shaped so as enable the controller and user device 110 in ahand. Handheld controller 810 can include one or more user-deviceprocessors that can be configured to perform actions as describedherein. In some instances, such actions can include retrieving andimplementing a rule, retrieving an access-enabling code, generating acommunication (e.g., including an access-enabling code) to betransmitted to another device (e.g., a nearby client-associated device,a remote device, a central server, a web server, etc.), processing areceived communication (e.g., to perform an action in accordance with aninstruction in the communication, to generate a presentation based ondata in the communication, or to generate a response communication thatincludes data requested in the received communication) and so on.

Handheld controller 810 can communicate with a storage controller 820 soas to facilitate local storage and/or retrieval of data. It will beappreciated that handheld controller 810 can further facilitate storageand/or retrieval of data at a remote source via generation ofcommunications including the data (e.g., with a storage instruction)and/or requesting particular data.

Storage controller 820 can be configured to write and/or read data fromone or more data stores, such as an application storage 822 and/or auser storage 824. The one or more data stores can include, for example,a random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM),read-only memory (ROM), flash-ROM, cache, storage chip, and/or removablememory. Application storage 822 can include various types of applicationdata for each of one or more applications loaded (e.g., downloaded orpre-installed) onto user device 110. For example, application data caninclude application code, settings, profile data, databases, sessiondata, history, cookies and/or cache data. User storage 824 can include,for example, files, documents, images, videos, voice recordings and/oraudio. It will be appreciated that user device 110 can also includeother types of storage and/or stored data, such as code, files and datafor an operating system configured for execution on user device 110.

Handheld controller 810 can also receive and process (e.g., inaccordance with code or instructions generated in correspondence to aparticular application) data from one or more sensors and/or detectionengines. The one or more sensors and/or detection engines can beconfigured to, for example, detect a presence, intensity and/or identifyof (for example) another device (e.g., a nearby device or devicedetectable over a particular type of network, such as a Bluetooth,Bluetooth Low-Energy or Near-Field Communication network); anenvironmental, external stimulus (e.g., temperature, water, light,motion or humidity); an internal stimulus (e.g., temperature); a deviceperformance (e.g., processor or memory usage); and/or a networkconnection (e.g., to indicate whether a particular type of connection isavailable, a network strength and/or a network reliability).

FIG. 8 shows several exemplary sensors and detection engines, includinga peer monitor 830, accelerometer 832, gyroscope 834, light sensor 836and location engine 838. Each sensor and/or detection engine can beconfigured to collect a measurement or make a determination, forexample, at routine intervals or times and/or upon receiving acorresponding request (e.g., from a processor executing an applicationcode).

Peer monitor 830 can monitor communications, networks, radio signals,short-range signals, etc., which can be received by a receiver of userdevice 110) Peer monitor 830 can, for example, detect a short-rangecommunication from another device and/or use a network multicast orbroadcast to request identification of nearby devices. Upon or whiledetecting another device, peer monitor 830 can determine an identifier,device type, associated user, network capabilities, operating systemand/or authorization associated with the device. Peer monitor 530 canmaintain and update a data structure to store a location, identifierand/or characteristic of each of one or more nearby user devices.

Accelerometer 832 can be configured to detect a proper acceleration ofuser device 110. The acceleration may include multiple componentsassociated with various axes and/or a total acceleration. Gyroscope 834can be configured to detect one or more orientations (e.g., viadetection of angular velocity) of user device 110. Gyroscope 834 caninclude, for example, one or more spinning wheels or discs, single- ormulti-axis (e.g., three-axis) MEMS-based gyroscopes.

Light sensor 836 can include, for example, a photosensor, such asphotodiode, active-pixel sensor, LED, photoresistor, or other componentconfigured to detect a presence, intensity and/or type of light. In someinstances, the one or more sensors and detection engines can include amotion detector, which can be configured to detect motion. Such motiondetection can include processing data from one or more light sensors(e.g., and performing a temporal and/or differential analysis).

Location engine 838 can be configured to detect (e.g., estimate) alocation of user device 110. For example, location engine 838 can beconfigured to process signals (e.g., a wireless signal, GPS satellitesignal, cell-tower signal, iBeacon, or base-station signal) received atone or more receivers (e.g., a wireless-signal receiver and/or GPSreceiver) from a source (e.g., a GPS satellite, cellular tower or basestation, or WiFi access point) at a defined or identifiable location. Insome instances, location engine 838 can process signals from multiplesources and can estimate a location of user device 110 using atriangulation technique. In some instances, location engine 838 canprocess a single signal and estimate its location as being the same as alocation of a source of the signal.

User device 110 can include a flash 842 and flash controller 846. Flash842 can include a light source, such as (for example), an LED,electronic flash or high-speed flash. Flash controller 846 can beconfigured to control when flash 842 emits light. In some instances, thedetermination includes identifying an ambient light level (e.g., viadata received from light sensor 836) and determining that flash 842 isto emit light in response to a picture- or movie-initiating input whenthe light level is below a defined threshold (e.g., when a setting is inan auto-flash mode). In some additional or alternative instances, thedetermination includes determining that flash 846 is, or is not, to emitlight in accordance with a flash on/off setting. When it is determinedthat flash 846 is to emit light, flash controller 846 can be configuredto control a timing of the light so as to coincide, for example, with atime (or right before) at which a picture or video is taken.

User device 110 can also include an LED 840 and LED controller 844. LEDcontroller 844 can be configured to control when LED 840 emits light.The light emission may be indicative of an event, such as whether amessage has been received, a request has been processed, an initialaccess time has passed, etc.

Flash controller 846 can control whether flash 846 emits light viacontrolling a circuit so as to complete a circuit between a power sourceand flash 846 when flash 842 is to emit light. In some instances, flashcontroller 846 is wired to a shutter mechanism so as to synchronizelight emission and collection of image or video data.

User device 110 can be configured to transmit and/or receive signalsfrom other devices or systems (e.g., over one or more networks, such asnetwork(s) 170). These signals can include wireless signals, andaccordingly user device 110 can include one or more wireless modules 850configured to appropriately facilitate transmission or receipt ofwireless signals of a particular type. Wireless modules 850 can includea Wi-Fi module 852, Bluetooth module 854, near-field communication (NFC)module 856 and/or cellular module 856. Each module can, for example,generate a signal (e.g., which may include transforming a signalgenerated by another component of user device 110 to conform to aparticular protocol and/or to process a signal (e.g., which may includetransforming a signal received from another device to conform with aprotocol used by another component of user device 110).

Wi-Fi module 854 can be configured to generate and/or process radiosignals with a frequency between 2.4 gigahertz and 5 gigahertz. Wi-Fimodule 854 can include a wireless network interface card that includescircuitry to facilitate communicating using a particular standard (e.g.,physical and/or link layer standard).

Bluetooth module 854 can be configured to generate and/or process radiosignals with a frequency between 2.4 gigahertz and 2.485 gigahertz. Insome instances, bluetooth module 854 can be configured to generateand/or process Bluetooth low-energy (BLE or BTLE) signals with afrequency between 2.4 gigahertz and 2.485 gigahertz.

NFC module 856 can be configured to generate and/or process radiosignals with a frequency of 13.56 megahertz. NFC module 856 can includean inductor and/or can interact with one or more loop antenna.

Cellular module 858 can be configured to generate and/or processcellular signals at ultra-high frequencies (e.g., between 698 and 2690megahertz). For example, cellular module 858 can be configured togenerate uplink signals and/or to process received downlink signals.

The signals generated by wireless modules 850 can be transmitted to oneor more other devices (or broadcast) by one or more antennas 859. Thesignals processed by wireless modules 850 can include those received byone or more antennas 859. One or more antennas 859 can include, forexample, a monopole antenna, helical antenna, intenna, Planar Inverted-FAntenna (PIFA), modified PIFA, and/or one or more loop antennae.

User device 110 can include various input and output components. Anoutput component can be configured to present output. For example, aspeaker 862 can be configured to present an audio output by convertingan electrical signal into an audio signal. An audio engine 864 caneffect particular audio characteristics, such as a volume,event-to-audio-signal mapping and/or whether an audio signal is to beavoided due to a silencing mode (e.g., a vibrate or do-not-disturb modeset at the device).

Further, a display 866 can be configured to present a visual output byconverting an electrical signal into a light signal. Display 866 mayinclude multiple pixels, each of which may be individually controllable,such that an intensity and/or color of each pixel can be independentlycontrolled. Display 866 can include, for example, an LED- or LCD-baseddisplay.

A graphics engine 868 can determine a mapping of electronic image datato pixel variables on a screen of user device 110. It can further adjustlighting, texture and color characteristics in accordance with, forexample, user settings.

In some instances, display 866 is a touchscreen display (e.g., aresistive or capacitive touchscreen) and is thus both an input and anoutput component. A screen controller 870 can be configured to detectwhether, where and/or how (e.g., a force of) a user touched display 866.The determination may be made based on an analysis of capacitive orresistive data.

An input component can be configured to receive input from a user thatcan be translated into data. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, userdevice 110 can include a microphone 872 that can capture audio data andtransform the audio signals into electrical signals. An audio capturemodule 874 can determine, for example, when an audio signal is to becollected and/or any filter, equalization, noise gate, compressionand/or clipper that is to be applied to the signal.

User device 110 can further include one or more cameras 876, 880, eachof which can be configured to capture visual data (e.g., at a given timeor across an extended time period) and convert the visual data intoelectrical data (e.g., electronic image or video data). In someinstances, user device 110 includes multiple cameras, at least two ofwhich are directed in different and/or substantially oppositedirections. For example, user device 110 can include a rear-facingcamera 876 and a front-facing camera 880.

A camera capture module 878 can control, for example, when a visualstimulus is to be collected (e.g., by controlling a shutter), a durationfor which a visual stimulus is to be collected (e.g., a time that ashutter is to remain open for a picture taking, which may depend on asetting or ambient light levels; and/or a time that a shutter is toremain open for a video taking, which may depend on inputs), a zoom, afocus setting, and so on. When user device 110 includes multiplecameras, camera capture module 878 may further determine which camera(s)is to collect image data (e.g., based on a setting).

FIG. 9 illustrates sample components of an embodiment of site system180, including connections to NAS 750 and access management system 185.Embodiments of site controller 712 use network manager 920 to connectvia access points 720 (using e.g., WiFi 952, Bluetooth 953, NFC 956,Ethernet 958, and/or other network connections) to other networkcomponents, such as site network 716 and mobile devices 724. In someembodiments, site system 280 uses site controller 712 to control aspectsof an event venue. A broad variety of venue features can be controlledby different embodiments, including: permanent lights (e.g., withlighting controller 922), stage lights (e.g., with presentmentcontroller 924), stage display screens (e.g., with stage display(s)controller 912), permanent display screens (e.g., with permanentdisplay(s) controller 914), and the venue sound system (e.g., with thesound system controller 916).

A more detailed view of NAS 750 is shown, including NAS controller 930coupled to user video storage 932, captured video storage 934,preference storage 936, and 3D model 938. Captured video storage 934 canreceive, store and provide user videos received from mobile devices 724.In some embodiments, site controller 712 triggers the automatic captureof images, audio and video from mobile devices 724, such triggeringbeing synchronized to activities in an event. Images captured by thisand similar embodiments can be stored on both the capturing mobiledevice 724 and user video storage 932. In an embodiment, site controller712 can coordinate the transfer of information from mobile devices toNAS 750 (e.g., captured media) with activities taking place during theevent. When interacting with mobile devices 724, some embodiments ofsite controller 712 can provide end user interfaces 926 to enabledifferent types of interaction. For example, as a part of engagementactivities, site controller may offer quizzes and other content to thedevices. Additionally, with respect to location determinations discussedherein, site controller can supplement determined estimates withvoluntarily provided information using end user interfaces 926, storedin a storage that is not shown.

In some embodiments, to guide the performance of different activities,site controller 712 and/or other components may use executable code 938tangibly stored in code storage 939. In some embodiments, siteinformation storage 937 can provide information about the site, e.g.,events, seat maps, attendee information, geographic location ofdestinations (e.g., concessions, bathrooms, exits, etc.), as well as 3Dmodels of site features and structure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating process 1000 for detecting and usingdevice-identifying codes to enhance security of access-right transfers.Part or all of process 1000 may be performed, for example, at accessmanagement system, various electronic devices (e.g., first through thirduser devices), and/or one or more data stores associated with the accessmanagement system. It will be appreciated that performance of process1000 may be distributed. For example, various servers (e.g., co-locatedservers or geographically dispersed servers) may perform differentactions in process 1000.

Examples of one or more user devices include, for example, a computer, amobile device, a smart phone, a laptop, a thin client device, a tablet,and other similar electronic devices). Further, the access managementsystem can include one or more servers and/or one or more data stores.The one or more servers and the one or more data stores may or may notbe co-located.

At block 1005, the access management system may receive a firstcommunication from a first user device associated with a first user. Insome embodiments, the first communication can be a message transmittedfrom the first user device to the access management system. For example,the message may include data representing a request to retrieve accessdata associated with the first user. The access data may correspond toone or more access rights. An access right may facilitate entry to aspatial area (e.g., a ticket for a venue, concert hall, stadium, and thelike) for a user (e.g., the first user, second user, or any othersuitable user). The request to retrieve access data may correspond to arequest to retrieve one or more access rights associated with the firstuser. In some examples, the request to retrieve access data can beinitiated by the first user. For example, the first user can click on alink presented on the first user device (or in other cases, the firstuser can press a button displayed on the screen of the first userdevice). Clicking the link can initiate a transmission of a request toretrieve one or more access rights associated with the first user. Insome embodiments, the first user device can receive data representingthe login credentials from the first user. The data representing thelogin credentials can be transmitted to one or more servers forverification of the first user or first user device.

In some embodiments, the access data, for which the first user devicetransmitted the request for retrieval, may be previously associated withthe first user. For example, the access data may include one or morevalid access rights already associated with the first user (e.g., accessrights that facilitate entry to one or more first spatial areas). Insome embodiments, the one or more valid access rights may be presentedon the first user device in the form of a list. In other embodiments,the access data may be determined in response to the first communicationreceived from the first user device. For example, the request forretrieval of one or more access rights may also include datarepresenting parameters for querying one or more data stores for accessrights that correspond to the parameters included in the request. A listof access rights corresponding to the parameters may be generated at theaccess management system and presented on the first user device.

At block 1010, the access management system may receive a secondcommunication from the first user device. In some embodiments, thesecond communication may correspond to a request for an access right.For example, the second communication may request an access right fromamongst the one or more access rights retrieved after the firstcommunication. It will be appreciated that more than one access rightmay be requested. Requesting an access right may correspond to selectionof an access right for association with the first user or first userdevice. For example, requesting an access right may correspond to arequest to associate the access right with the first user or first userdevice. Associating an access right with the first user may refer tofacilitating entry to a spatial area corresponding to the access rightfor the first user.

In some examples, an access right may facilitate entry to a spatial areafor the first user or first user device. For example, an access rightmay correspond to a spatial area. When the access right is associatedwith the first user device, the access right can facilitate entry to thespatial area for the first user using the first user device. In someexamples, the spatial area may be an area at a geographical location(e.g., building, stadium, and the like). Transferring the access rightto the second user device facilitates entry to the spatial area for thesecond user using the second user device, but no longer allows entry tothe spatial area for the first user using the first user device.

At block 1015, the access management system may identify metadataassociated with the second communication. In some examples, the secondcommunication may include one or more data packets that include dataheaders and data payloads. Information in the data headers and datapayloads may be scanned or read and various pertinent information may beextracted from the data packets. Further, the data headers or the datapayloads may include metadata. For example, the metadata may describeaspects of the data included in the data packets. In some examples, allor part of the metadata may be obtained from one or more data storesstoring information related to various users. In some embodiments, themetadata include one or more composites (e.g., a data field in the datapacket). For example, a composite of the data packets corresponding tothe second communication may include data (e.g., a value) representing adevice identifier of the first user device.

In some embodiments, a device identifier may include data representing aunique identifier of an electronic device. For example, the deviceidentifier may uniquely identify a particular electronic device fromamongst a plurality of electronic devices. In some examples, the deviceidentifier may include a code that is uniquely associated with aparticular device. In other examples, the device identifier may includedata representative of a code associated with one or morecharacteristics of the device that is uniquely identified by the deviceidentifier. For example, the first user device may be configured toinclude several network interfaces (e.g., a network interface card forwireless communication via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and the like). Inthis example, a device identifier may include data representing a mediaaccess control (MAC) address for a network interface card of the firstuser device. For example, a MAC address may include six groups of twohexadecimal digits. A MAC address corresponding to the first user devicemay uniquely identify the first user device from a plurality ofelectronic devices. For example, the first user device may correspond toa MAC address and another electronic device may correspond to adifferent MAC address than the MAC address associated with the firstuser device. For an example, see U.S. Ser. No. 14/202,218, filed in theUnited States Patent & Trademark Office on Mar. 10, 2014, which ishereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety for allpurposes. It will be appreciated that the device identifier may includedata representing other suitable unique identifiers for devices.Examples of other unique identifiers for the first user device mayinclude data representing an organizationally unique identifier (OUI), aglobally unique identifier, a universally unique identifier, identitycorrelation, World Wide Port Name, and other suitable uniqueidentifiers. It will be appreciated that the unique device identifierfor the first user device may be an alphanumeric value generated atrandom and associated with the first user device. A data store can storethe association between devices and randomly generated alphanumericvalues.

At block 1020, the access management system can identify the uniquedevice identifier for the first user device from the secondcommunication. It will be appreciated that the access management systemmay identify the unique device identifier for the first user device fromthe first communication or from any other suitable communication. Itwill be appreciated that the device identifier of the first user devicecan be manually determined by receiving an input corresponding to thedevice identifier at an interface presented on the first user device orother device. It will also be appreciated that all or part of the uniquedevice identifier for the first user device may be queried from a datastore.

At block 1025, the access management system may generate a first accesscode corresponding to the access right requested at block 1010. Thefirst access code may be a unique identification of the access rightrequested at block 1010. In some embodiments, the first access code maybe generated at least in part based on the device identifier of thefirst user device. For example, the access management system may perform(e.g., at one or more processors or central processing units (CPUs)) thegeneration of the first access code by including data representing theunique device identifier for the first user device in the first accesscode. At least a portion or segment of the first access code may includethe device identifier (e.g., the code representing the deviceidentifier) or a representation of the device identifier (e.g., atransformed code representing the device identifier). In someembodiments, the first access code may include data representingmachine-readable code that is readable at a scanning device (e.g., anRFID scanner). It will be appreciated that the first access code mayuniquely correspond to one or more characteristics (e.g., a physicalcharacteristic, such as the address of a network interface card) of thefirst user device.

At block 1030, the access management system can receive a thirdcommunication from the first user device. In some examples, the thirdcommunication may correspond to a request to transfer the requestedaccess right. For example, the third communication may correspond to arequest to transfer the access right (e.g., the access right obtained atblock 1010) to a second user device associated with a second user. Forexample, the first user device can provide an interface to the firstuser for receiving an input that identifies a second user or second userdevice. For example, the first user device can receive an input of aphone number associated with the second user device in order to identifythe second user device. The first user device can then receive anotherinput corresponding to the request to transfer the access right (e.g.,the access right requested at block 1020) to the second user device. Itwill be appreciated that, upon identifying the second user device (e.g.,a potential recipient device for the access right), the accessmanagement system may transmit a communication to the second user devicenotifying the second user of the first user's request to transfer theaccess right.

At block 1035, the access management system may verify that the requestto transfer the access right (received from the first user device atblock 1030) corresponds to the first user device. For example, theaccess management system can verify or authenticate that the first userdevice transmitted the request to transfer the access right (e.g., bytransmitting the third communication). The access management system mayperform the verification of block 1035 by extracting metadata associatedwith the third communication and identifying the device identifierincluded in the extracted metadata. Verification is successfullycompleted when the device identifier (determined from the extractedmetadata) matches the device identifier of the first user device (e.g.,previously determined from the second communication prior to or inconjunction with the generating of the first access code). It will beappreciated that this verification can be automatic and can be performedso as to not be detectable by the first user. It will also beappreciated that verification can be performed using biometricinformation associated with the first user, in addition to or in lieu ofusing the device identifier for the authentication or verification. Forexample, the access management system can transmit visual data to thefirst user device. The visual data can represent an interface that canprompt the first user to input biometric information into the interface.It will be appreciated that the first access code can also be verifiedas being valid, in addition to or in lieu of verifying the firstelectronic device. For example, see U.S. Ser. No. 14/553,902, filed inthe United States Patent & Trademark Office on Nov. 25, 2014, which ishereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

At block 1040, the access management system may receive a fourthcommunication from the second user device associated with the seconduser. The fourth communication may correspond to an indication toproceed with the transfer of the access right. In some examples, theaccess management system transmits a request for transfer of the accessright to the second user device. The fourth communication may be aresponse (from the second user device) to the request transmitted by theaccess management system. The response from the second user device maybe an acceptance (e.g., an indication to proceed with the transfer) or adenial of the request to accept the transfer. If the fourthcommunication corresponds to an indication to proceed with the transfer,then process 1000 continues. If the fourth communication corresponds toa denial, then process 1000 ends.

At block 1045, the access management system may identify metadataassociated with the fourth communication. In some examples, the fourthcommunication may include one or more data packets that include dataheaders and data payloads. Information in the data headers and datapayloads may be scanned or read and various pertinent information may beextracted from the data packets. Further, the data headers or the datapayloads may include metadata. For example, the metadata may describeaspects of the data included in the data packets. In some examples, allor part of the metadata may be obtained from one or more data storesstoring information related to various users. In some embodiments, themetadata include one or more composites (e.g., a data field in the datapacket). For example, a composite of the data packets corresponding tothe fourth communication may include data (e.g., a value) representingthe device identifier of the second user device.

The device identifier of the second user device may be determined in asimilar manner as with the determination of the device identifier of thefirst user device. For example, the device identifier may include datarepresenting a unique identifier of an electronic device. For example,the device identifier may uniquely identify a particular electronicdevice from amongst a plurality of electronic devices. In some examples,the device identifier may include a code that is uniquely associatedwith a particular device. In other examples, the device identifier mayinclude data representative of a code associated with one or morecharacteristics of the device that is uniquely identified by the deviceidentifier. For example, the second user device may include severalnetwork interfaces (e.g., a network interface card for wirelesscommunication via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, etc.). In this example, adevice identifier may include data representing a media access control(MAC) address for a network interface card of the second user device.For example, a MAC address may include six groups of two hexadecimaldigits. A MAC address corresponding to the second user device mayuniquely identify the second user device from a plurality of electronicdevices. For example, the second user device may correspond to a MACaddress and another electronic device may corresponding to a differentMAC address than the MAC address associated with the second user device.It will be appreciated that the device identifier may include datarepresenting other suitable unique identifiers for devices. Examples ofother unique identifiers for the second user device may include datarepresenting an organizationally unique identifier (OUI), a globallyunique identifier, a universally unique identifier, identitycorrelation, World Wide Port Name, and other suitable uniqueidentifiers. It will be appreciated that the unique device identifierfor the first user device may be an alphanumeric value generated atrandom and associated with the first user device. A data store can storethe association between devices and randomly generated alphanumericvalues.

At block 1050, the access management system can identify the uniquedevice identifier for the second user device from the fourthcommunication. It will be appreciated that the access management systemmay identify the unique device identifier for the second user device inother ways. For example, the unique device identifier for the seconduser device can be manually inputted into an interface presented on thesecond user device or automatically detected. It will also beappreciated that all or part of the unique device identifier for thefirst user device may be queried from a data store.

At block 1055, the access management system can transform the firstaccess code corresponding to the access right into a second access code.In some embodiments, transforming the first access code into the secondaccess code facilitates completion of the transfer of the access rightfrom the first user device to the second user device. Further,transforming the first access code into the second access code mayinvolve generating a new code or modifying the first access code. Aftertransformation of the first access code into the second access code, theaccess right may correspond to the second access code and not the firstaccess code. For example, after transformation of the first access codeinto the second access code, the access right can facilitate entry tothe spatial area for the second user, and not for the first user. Insome examples, after transformation of the first access code into thesecond access code, the first access code may be invalid and no longerfacilitate entry to the spatial area for the first user.

At least a part of the second access code can include data representingthe device identifier of the second user device. For example, a sectionof the second access code may include the unique device identifier ofthe second user device or may include a representation of the uniquedevice identifier of the second user device. Further, the section of thesecond access code that corresponds to the unique device identifier ofthe second user device can include machine-readable code that isdetectable by another electronic device (e.g., a scanner, an RFIDscanner, and other suitable electronic devices). For example, the seconduser device can display a representation of the second access code(e.g., a QR code, or other suitable machine-readable code).

In some embodiments, transformation of the first access code into thesecond access code can include replacing a section of the first accesscode (e.g., the section of the first access code corresponding to thedevice identifier of the first user device) with data representing thedevice identifier of the second user device. In other embodiments,transformation of the first access code into the second access code caninclude generating an entirely new code that includes at least a sectionincluding data representing the device identifier of the second userdevice. It will be appreciated that transforming the first access codeinto the second access code may involve other suitable transformationaltechniques. At block 1060, the access management system can transmitdata representing the second access code to the second user device. Itwill be appreciated that transforming the first access code into thesecond access code can also include, for example, transforming aphysical manifestation of an access right into an electronicrepresentation of the access right. For example, see U.S. Ser. No.14/049,909, filed in the United States Patent & Trademark Office on Oct.9, 2013, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes. As another example, see U.S. Ser. No.10/731,410, filed in the United States Patent & Trademark Office on Dec.9, 2003, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

Unauthorized transfer of the second access code from the second userdevice to another user device (e.g., to a third user device) can beprevented. For example, at least a portion of the second access code caninclude data representing the device identifier of the second userdevice. If the second user device transmits data representing the secondaccess code to a third user device (e.g., by taking a screenshot of thesecond access code and sending the screenshot to the third user device),a device capable of scanning can scan the second access code from thethird user device. In addition, the device capable of scanning mayrequest a device identifier from the third user device. The accessmanagement system may be associated with the device capable of scanning.The access management system can compare the device identifier of thethird user device with the portion of the second access code thatrepresents the device identifier of the second user device to determinewhether a match exists. If no match exits, entry to the spatial area fora third user operating the third user device can be prevented.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating process 1100 for transferring accessrights over near field communication (NFC) channels. Part or all ofprocess 1100 may be performed, for example, at access management system,various electronic devices (e.g., first through third NFC devices),and/or one or more data stores associated with the access managementsystem. It will be appreciated that performance of process 1100 may bedistributed. For example, various servers (e.g., co-located servers orgeographically dispersed servers) may perform different actions inprocess 1100. It will be appreciated that process 1100 may be performedusing other short-range communication technologies in addition to or inlieu of NFC.

An electronic device may be configured for wireless communication withother electronic devices over a short-range communication channel. Forexample, an electronic device configured for NFC may communicate withother devices over an NFC channel. In some examples, communication overthe NFC channel can be achieved when two or more NFC devices areapproximately 4 cm or less apart from each other. In other examples,communication can be achieved with a greater distance between devices.In addition, NFC devices can be configured to include a set of one ormore sensors. For example, the sensors can include motion sensors (e.g.,gyroscopes) to detect occurrence of a “bump” motion or tap motion on anNFC device. Detecting the “bump” motion or tap motion can triggertransmissions of various messages between the NFC devices.

At block 1105, the access management system may receive a firstcommunication from a first NFC device associated with a first user. Thefirst communication may correspond to a request to retrieve access dataassociated with a first user. For example, the first communication mayinclude a message containing data that represents a request to retrieveaccess data. In this example, the request may be associated with logincredentials for the first user. The login credentials can be used toretrieve the access data associated with the first user. The access datamay include one or more access rights. An access right can be associatedwith entry to a spatial area of a resource corresponding to the accessright.

At block 1110, the access management system can receive a secondcommunication from the first NFC device. The second communication maycorrespond to a request for an access right. For example, the first NFCdevice may request for an access right from amongst the one or moreaccess rights included in the access data. In some examples, the requestfor an access right may correspond to a request to associate the accessright with the first user. For example, a request to associate the firstuser with an access right associates the first user with the accessright, such that other users are not associated with the access right.

At block 1115, the access management system may generate a first accesscode corresponding to the access right requested at block 1110. Thefirst access code may be a unique identification of the access rightrequested at block 1110. In some embodiments, the first access code maybe generated at least in part based on the device identifier of thefirst NFC device. For example, the access management system may perform(e.g., at one or more processors or central processing units (CPUs)) thegeneration of the first access code by including data representing theunique device identifier for the first NFC device in the first accesscode. At least a portion or segment of the first access code may includethe device identifier (e.g., the code representing the deviceidentifier) or a representation of the device identifier (e.g., atransformed code representing the device identifier) of the first NFCdevice. For example, as with the description of FIG. 10, a deviceidentifier may be an identifier that uniquely identifies the first NFCdevice from amongst a plurality of electronic devices (e.g., a MACaddress, a serial number for the NFC interface card, and the like). Insome embodiments, the first access code may include data representingmachine-readable code that is readable at a scanning device (e.g., anRFID scanner). It will be appreciated that the first access code mayuniquely correspond to one or more characteristics (e.g., a physicalcharacteristic, such as the address of a network interface card) of thefirst NFC device.

At block 1120, a second NFC device may be identified at the first NFCdevice. For example, the first NFC device may broadcast beacon messagesfor identifying other nearby NFC devices. For example, the second NFCdevice, which may be physically located in a proximate vicinity to thefirst NFC (e.g., within the same room or building, within approximately10 feet, and the like), may receive the beacon message and respond tothe beacon message with information identifying the second NFC device tothe first NFC device. After an initialization period, for example, thefirst NFC device may generate a list of nearby NFC devices. The firstNFC device may display an interface with the user in which the list ofnearby NFC devices is displayed. The interface may receive an inputcorresponding to a selection of the second NFC device from the list ofnearby NFC devices. The second NFC device may be identified based on theinput received at the first NFC device. In some embodiments,identification of the second NFC device may correspond to a request totransfer the access right (requested at block 1110) from the first NFCdevice to the second NFC device. It will be appreciated that the secondNFC device may be identified by inputting identification of the secondNFC device into an interface displayed on the first NFC device.

At block 1125, the first NFC device may detect a trigger event at theset of sensors of the first NFC device. In some examples, the set ofsensors of the first NFC device may constantly or periodically generatesensor data. The first NFC device may analyze the sensor data for one ormore motion features. A motion feature is a particular type of motionidentified from the sensor signal. For example, a motion feature caninclude sensor data corresponding to a “bump” motion where the first NFCdevice is “bumped” against the second NFC device. Other examples ofmotion features include a tapping motion where the first NFC device istapped, a swiping motion where the display of the first NFC device isswiped, a shaking motion where the first NFC device is shaken, and othersuitable motion features.

Detecting a motion feature in the sensor data may correspond to adetection of the trigger event. For example, when the first NFC deviceis “bumped” against the second NFC device, the first NFC device maydetect a motion feature in the sensor data corresponding to a “bumping”motion. Upon detection of the motion feature, the first NFC device (andoptionally the second NFC device) may determine that a trigger event hasoccurred. In some examples, the first NFC device may detect the triggerevent and notify the second NFC device (e.g., via a control signal). Inother examples, each of the first NFC device and the second NFC devicemay independently detect the trigger event.

At block 1130, detecting the trigger event may initiate transformationof the first access code into a second access code. Transforming thefirst access code corresponding to the access right into a second accesscode may be performed at any, part, or all of the first NFC device, thesecond NFC device, and/or the access management system. For example,upon detection of the trigger event, the first NFC may initiate acontrol signal indicating to one or more processors of the first NFCdevice to perform the transformation of the first access code to thesecond access code. In this example, the first NFC device may performthe computations involved in transforming the first access code into thesecond access code. In another example, the detection of the triggerevent at the second NFC device may correspond to an acceptance of therequest to transfer the access right. In this example, the second NFCdevice may receive the first access code from the first NFC device andtransform the first access code into the second access code at thesecond NFC device. It will be appreciated that transforming the firstaccess code into the second access code may be performed at the accessmanagement system. For example, detection of the trigger event at thefirst NFC device may initiate a transmission of the first access code tothe access management system for transformation. The access managementsystem may transmit the second access code to the second NFC device.

In some embodiments, transforming the first access code into the secondaccess code facilitates the transfer of the access right from the firstNFC device to the second NFC device. Further, transforming the firstaccess code into the second access code may involve generating a newcode or modifying the first access code. After transformation of thefirst access code into the second access code, the access right maycorrespond to the second access code and not the first access code. Forexample, after transformation of the first access code into the secondaccess code, the access right can facilitate entry to the spatial areafor the second user using the second access code, but not for the firstuser using the first access code. In some examples, after transformationof the first access code into the second access code, the first accesscode may be invalidated and no longer facilitate entry to the spatialarea for the first user.

At least a part of the second access code can include data representingthe device identifier of the second NFC device. For example, a sectionof the second access code may include the unique device identifier ofthe second NFC device or may include a representation of the uniquedevice identifier of the second NFC device. For example, the deviceidentifier of the second NFC device may correspond to a MAC address ofthe NFC network interface card of the second NFC device. Further, thesection of the second access code that corresponds to the unique deviceidentifier of the second NFC device can include machine-readable codethat is detectable by another electronic device (e.g., a scanner, anRFID scanner, and other suitable electronic devices). For example, thesecond NFC device can display a representation of the second access code(e.g., a QR code, or other suitable machine-readable code).

In some embodiments, transforming the first access code into the secondaccess code can include replacing a section of the first access code(e.g., the section of the first access code corresponding to the deviceidentifier of the first NFC device) with data representing the deviceidentifier of the second NFC device. In other embodiments, transformingthe first access code into the second access code can include generatingan entirely new code that includes at least a section including datarepresenting the device identifier of the second NFC device. It will beappreciated that transforming the first access code into the secondaccess code may involve other suitable transformational techniques.

At block 1135, the first NFC device can transmit data representing thesecond access code to the second NFC device over the NFC channel. Inother examples, the second access code may be transmitted from theaccess management system to the second NFC device. Data representing thesecond access code may be stored at the second NFC device.

Unauthorized transfer of the second access code from the second NFCdevice to another user device (e.g., to a third NFC device) can beprevented. For example, at least a portion of the second access code caninclude data representing the device identifier of the second NFCdevice. If the second NFC device transmits data representing the secondaccess code to a third NFC device (e.g., by taking a screenshot of thesecond access code and sending the screenshot to the third NFC device),a device capable of scanning can scan the second access code from thethird NFC device. In addition, the device capable of scanning mayrequest a device identifier from the third NFC device. The accessmanagement system may be associated with the device capable of scanning.The access management system can compare the device identifier of thethird NFC device with the portion of the second access code thatrepresents the device identifier of the second NFC device to determinewhether a match exists. If no match exits between the device identifierof the third NFC device and the portion of the second access coderepresenting a device identifier, entry to the spatial area for a thirduser operating the third NFC device can be prevented.

Specific details are given in the above description to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it is understoodthat the embodiments can be practiced without these specific details.For example, circuits can be shown in block diagrams in order not toobscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances,well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniquescan be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring theembodiments.

Implementation of the techniques, blocks, steps and means describedabove can be done in various ways. For example, these techniques,blocks, steps and means can be implemented in hardware, software, or acombination thereof. For a hardware implementation, the processing unitscan be implemented within one or more application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signalprocessing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed toperform the functions described above, and/or a combination thereof.

Also, it is noted that the embodiments can be described as a processwhich is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, astructure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart can describethe operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can beperformed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of theoperations can be re-arranged. A process is terminated when itsoperations are completed, but could have additional steps not includedin the figure. A process can correspond to a method, a function, aprocedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process correspondsto a function, its termination corresponds to a return of the functionto the calling function or the main function.

Furthermore, embodiments can be implemented by hardware, software,scripting languages, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardwaredescription languages, and/or any combination thereof. When implementedin software, firmware, middleware, scripting language, and/or microcode,the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks can bestored in a machine readable medium such as a storage medium. A codesegment or machine-executable instruction can represent a procedure, afunction, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, asoftware package, a script, a class, or any combination of instructions,data structures, and/or program statements. A code segment can becoupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/orreceiving information, data, arguments, parameters, and/or memorycontents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. can be passed,forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memorysharing, message passing, ticket passing, network transmission, etc.

For a firmware and/or software implementation, the methodologies can beimplemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) thatperform the functions described herein. Any machine-readable mediumtangibly embodying instructions can be used in implementing themethodologies described herein. For example, software codes can bestored in a memory. Memory can be implemented within the processor orexternal to the processor. As used herein the term “memory” refers toany type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or otherstorage medium and is not to be limited to any particular type of memoryor number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored.

Moreover, as disclosed herein, the term “storage medium”, “storage” or“memory” can represent one or more memories for storing data, includingread only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, corememory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flashmemory devices and/or other machine readable mediums for storinginformation. The term “machine-readable medium” includes, but is notlimited to portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices,wireless channels, and/or various other storage mediums capable ofstoring that contain or carry instruction(s) and/or data.

While the principles of the disclosure have been described above inconnection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearlyunderstood that this description is made only by way of example and notas limitation on the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:enabling, at a mobile device including a camera, monitoring of a camerafeed from the mobile device; detecting from the camera feed, a firstfeature of a physical manifestation of an access right to a resource,the first feature being included in one or more images of the camerafeed, the first feature including a first machine-readable code, and thefirst machine-readable code corresponding to an identifier that uniquelyidentifies the access right; generating, at the mobile device, a timeindicator associated with the first feature, the time indicatoridentifying a time of detecting the first feature; transmitting thedetected first feature and the time indicator from the mobile device toa remote server; determining, by the remote server, that the firstfeature corresponds to a valid access right that grants access to theresource, the valid access right indicating that the first feature isvalid to grant access to the resource; transmitting, by the remoteserver, a communication that indicates that the first featurecorresponds to the valid access right; receiving, at the mobile deviceand from the remote server, the communication that indicates that thefirst feature corresponds to the valid access right; in response toreceiving the communication, presenting an authenticity indication forthe physical manifestation of the access right that indicates that theaccess right is authentic; generating, by the remote server, a timestampthat identifies a time the first feature was sent from the mobile deviceto the remote server, the timestamp being generated using the timeindicator; determining, by the remote server, a transformationeligibility of the physical manifestation of the access right based onthe generated timestamp and an estimated time that the resource will beavailable for accessing, the transformation eligibility indicating thatthe first machine-readable code is eligible to be transformed intoanother machine-readable code; receiving, at the mobile device and fromthe remote server, a transformation eligibility indication, based on thedetermined transformation eligibility, for the first machine readablecode that indicates that a transformation-eligibility condition issatisfied for the physical manifestation of the access right so as toenable the physical manifestation of the access right to be convertedinto a digital manifestation of the access right, thetransformation-eligibility condition specifying a time period before theresource is available for accessing during which transformation isenabled; transmitting, from the mobile device, a request to transformthe physical manifestation of the access right into the digitalmanifestation of the access right, the request including the firstfeature, wherein receiving the request to transform the physicalmanifestation of the access right into the digital manifestation of theaccess right at the remote server initiates a transformation protocol atthe remote server that transforms the physical manifestation of theaccess right into the digital manifestation; receiving a response to therequest indicating that the transformation has occurred and that thefirst machine readable code has been invalidated; and displaying, at adisplay of the mobile device, a visual representation of the response tothe request indicating that the physical manifestation of the accessright has been transformed or has been invalidated.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising providing anindication of the transformation eligibility to a user via the mobiledevice.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein theresponse further indicates that a second machine-readable code has beengenerated.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein thetransformation protocol includes: generating a valid identifier for thedigital manifestation of the access right, the valid identifier uniquelyidentifying the access right; generating a second machine-readable code,the second machine-readable code corresponding to the valid identifierof the digital manifestation of the access right; and invalidating thephysical manifestation of the access right by: storing an invalidindicator associated with the identifier of the physical manifestationof the access right; or deleting the identifier of the physicalmanifestation of the access right from a data store.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the invalid indicatorinhibits the physical manifestation of the access right from grantingaccess to the resource.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the request includes the first feature, and wherein the responseincludes the transformation eligibility indication.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: decryptingthe first machine readable code using a key to produce a decrypted code;and transmitting the decrypted code to the remote server.
 8. A system,comprising: one or more data processors; and a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, whenexecuted on the one or more data processors, cause the one or more dataprocessors to perform operations including: enabling, at a mobile deviceincluding a camera, monitoring of a camera feed from the mobile device;detecting from the camera feed, a first feature of a physicalmanifestation of an access right to a resource, the first feature beingincluded in one or more images of the camera feed, the first featureincluding a first machine-readable code, and the first machine-readablecode corresponding to an identifier that uniquely identifies the accessright; generating, at the mobile device, a time indicator associatedwith the first feature, the time indicator identifying a time ofdetecting the first feature; transmitting the detected first feature andthe time indicator from the mobile device to a remote server;determining, by the remote server, that the first feature corresponds toa valid access right that grants access to the resource, the validaccess right indicating that the first feature is valid to grant accessto the resource; transmitting, by the remote server, a communicationthat indicates that the first feature corresponds to the valid accessright; receiving, at the mobile device and from the remote server, thecommunication that indicates that the first feature corresponds to thevalid access right; in response to receiving the communication,presenting an authenticity indication for the physical manifestation ofthe access right that indicates that the access right is authentic;generating, by the remote server, a timestamp that identifies a time thefirst feature was sent from the mobile device to the remote server, thetimestamp being generated using the time indicator; determining, by theremote server, a transformation eligibility of the physicalmanifestation of the access right based on the generated timestamp andan estimated time that the resource will be available for accessing, thetransformation eligibility indicating that the first machine-readablecode is eligible to be transformed into another machine-readable code;receiving, at the mobile device and from the remote server, atransformation eligibility indication, based on the determinedtransformation eligibility, for the first machine readable code thatindicates that a transformation-eligibility condition is satisfied forthe physical manifestation of the access right so as to enable thephysical manifestation of the access right to be converted into adigital manifestation of the access right, thetransformation-eligibility condition specifying a time period before theresource is available for accessing during which transformation isenabled; transmitting, from the mobile device, a request to transformthe physical manifestation of the access right into the digitalmanifestation of the access right, the request including the firstfeature, wherein receiving the request to transform the physicalmanifestation of the access right into the digital manifestation of theaccess right at the remote server initiates a transformation protocol atthe remote server that transforms the physical manifestation of theaccess right into the digital manifestation; receiving a response to therequest indicating that the transformation has occurred and that thefirst machine readable code has been invalidated; and displaying, at adisplay of the mobile device, a visual representation of the response tothe request indicating that the physical manifestation of the accessright has been transformed or has been invalidated.
 9. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the operations further comprise: providing anindication of the transformation eligibility to a user via the mobiledevice.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the response furtherindicates that a second machine-readable code has been generated. 11.The system of claim 8, wherein the transformation protocol includes:generating a valid identifier for the digital manifestation of theaccess right, the valid identifier uniquely identifying the accessright; generating a second machine-readable code, the secondmachine-readable code corresponding to the valid identifier of thedigital manifestation of the access right; and invalidating the physicalmanifestation of the access right by: storing an invalid indicatorassociated with the identifier of the physical manifestation of theaccess right; or deleting the identifier of the physical manifestationof the access right from a data store.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the invalid indicator inhibits the physical manifestation of theaccess right from granting access to the resource.
 13. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the request includes the first feature, and wherein theresponse includes the transformation eligibility indication.
 14. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise: decryptingthe first machine readable code using a key to produce a decrypted code;and transmitting the decrypted code to the remote server.
 15. Acomputer-program product tangibly embodied in a non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium, including instructions configured tocause a data processing apparatus to perform operations including:enabling, at a mobile device including a camera, monitoring of a camerafeed from the mobile device; detecting from the camera feed, a firstfeature of a physical manifestation of an access right to a resource,the first feature being included in one or more images of the camerafeed, the first feature including a first machine-readable code, and thefirst machine-readable code corresponding to an identifier that uniquelyidentifies the access right; generating, at the mobile device, a timeindicator associated with the first feature, the time indicatoridentifying a time of detecting the first feature; transmitting thedetected first feature and the time indicator from the mobile device toa remote server; determining, by the remote server, that the firstfeature corresponds to a valid access right that grants access to theresource, the valid access right indicating that the first feature isvalid to grant access to the resource; transmitting, by the remoteserver, a communication that indicates that the first featurecorresponds to the valid access right; receiving, at the mobile deviceand from the remote server, the communication that indicates that thefirst feature corresponds to the valid access right; in response toreceiving the communication, presenting an authenticity indication forthe physical manifestation of the access right that indicates that theaccess right is authentic; generating, by the remote server, a timestampthat identifies a time the first feature was sent from the mobile deviceto the remote server, the timestamp being generated using the timeindicator; determining, by the remote server, a transformationeligibility of the physical manifestation of the access right based onthe generated timestamp and an estimated time that the resource will beavailable for accessing, the transformation eligibility indicating thatthe first machine-readable code is eligible to be transformed intoanother machine-readable code; receiving, at the mobile device and fromthe remote server, a transformation eligibility indication, based on thedetermined transformation eligibility, for the first machine readablecode that indicates that a transformation-eligibility condition issatisfied for the physical manifestation of the access right so as toenable the physical manifestation of the access right to be convertedinto a digital manifestation of the access right, thetransformation-eligibility condition specifying a time period before theresource is available for accessing during which transformation isenabled; transmitting, from the mobile device, a request to transformthe physical manifestation of the access right into the digitalmanifestation of the access right, the request including the firstfeature, wherein receiving the request to transform the physicalmanifestation of the access right into the digital manifestation of theaccess right at the remote server initiates a transformation protocol atthe remote server that transforms the physical manifestation of theaccess right into the digital manifestation; receiving a response to therequest indicating that the transformation has occurred and that thefirst machine readable code has been invalidated; and displaying, at adisplay of the mobile device, a visual representation of the response tothe request indicating that the physical manifestation of the accessright has been transformed or has been invalidated.
 16. Thecomputer-program product of claim 15, wherein the operations furthercomprise: providing an indication of the transformation eligibility to auser via the mobile device.
 17. The computer-program product of claim15, wherein the response further indicates that a secondmachine-readable code has been generated.
 18. The computer-programproduct of claim 15, wherein the transformation protocol includes:generating a valid identifier for the digital manifestation of theaccess right, the valid identifier uniquely identifying the accessright; generating a second machine-readable code, the secondmachine-readable code corresponding to the valid identifier of thedigital manifestation of the access right; and invalidating the physicalmanifestation of the access right by: storing an invalid indicatorassociated with the identifier of the physical manifestation of theaccess right; or deleting the identifier of the physical manifestationof the access right from a data store.
 19. The computer-program productof claim 18, wherein the invalid indicator inhibits the physicalmanifestation of the access right from granting access to the resource.20. The computer-program product of claim 15, wherein the requestincludes the first feature, and wherein the response includes thetransformation eligibility indication.